Hounds

Sitting uptight upright
straight on the steps
the columns with lurching eyelids

blinking tick tick ticking
casting shadows flicker
zip cars zip by zip
the median meandering

across and sway
heavy like weights
hanging on the end of a string
attached to his eyelashes

careful steps between cracks
boardwalk bricks wooden
slats splintering
the ocean air corroding
the chemicals

fumbling balances
hands forever outstretched
along the invisible bubble
in the level

delicate now
I see the possibilities
hounds come running now

gathering scents
a thunderous thumping
tribal hands hard now
on heavy chest
breathing
bellowing

a stupid happy grin
and blankness