The comfort of distance.

My eyes dart left, right, 

back and forth 

my destination is supposed to be right here.

I could rest my weary body
but that bench's height is not quite low enough
for my short legs and that old man, who knows why he stopped there.

These benches could be harboring graffiti, old gum stuck among the railings, snot or.

My children ran around and chased each other and anybody else's child around these alleys. We sat and talked with strangers about everything and nothing, for hours,
Just yesterday.

I rush to my next scheduled fulfillment.

And children, they are now held  closely, all the time.