Toronto Mug II

Counting cracks on Essex Street
Didn’t see them coming for me
Darted from the ATM and swore
If I could make it to the dollar store
I could play it cool for ten minutes
Let them retreat to dark and dusty corners of our street
Mr. Kim receives me with a smile
I duck behind the contraception aisle
Our friends file in and ask if I’m around
One guy shoplifts a candy bar and spits on the ground
Neon hums a harmony
Fluorescent buzz sings me sweet
Condolences for gray hairs earned
In cold low light walking home from your house late at night