the street was adorned
with many wayward feet
bustling, in no particular direction
creating confusing circles in my reflection

patrons offering a certain type of encouragement
helping by suggesting a destination
like Mrs. Flanagan’s half-price sale
where you could also pick up your mail

I like to call it milling about
after all, it doesn’t have to be market day
to see how much Debbie McCabe’s stomach is growing
and yes, her face is glowing

procuring the most said phrase of all
Holly cumquats, look how much she’s grown
Millicent Miller is only fourteen
and has grown seven inches, and is still a string-bean

in a tradition of lore, cousins marry cousins,
there’s no law against it I guess
but it creates a simmer of distaste
for some who judge in their haste

openly telling of their dreams
and mentioning what Miss Winterbottom did,
“She always goes a bit crazy,” Sally Vickers said
when the colour of the leaves change to red

and the embellishment of the Boer War heroes
it’s better than telling of the jail sentence
for setting fire to Mr. Stone’s paper clip plant
because he didn’t like his political slant

The new mayor is well-trusted
he’s kissed every baby in town
and his best friend is the banker
whose son works at Madame’s in a gown

They know of the sun
the moon, the stars and the rain
as well as all four seasons
which are as predictable as Sammy Fontaine
He’ll get as drunk as a skunk today
and sleep in the stable tonight