"Doppelganger Persuasion"

inclination to notice
a ghost (or twin)
and be convinced
that it is-
in spite of thinness or youth
or posture or stride
or sly blue eyes
or too-dark hair
or breathing or speaking-
somebody you know.

* * *

whisper out of speakers,
song echo, outside, how’s that possible?
he pats his hair down, she’s bow-legged.
birch tree more than magnolias or myrtles;
buildings not moving at all, but you know they are.

four-corners stretch their ghosts;
pale green pants, blue jeans, silver purses,
brown shoulder bags, red roll-y backpacks:
through plaza, by fountain, in out buildings,
across streets, cell phones adhered to hands—
moving, just moving

consuming words conversations across pages by people digested by coke cans swallowed in traffic overcome with coffee clouds towards evening with sun furiously giving to moon watch gawky boy library-bound suited man with green briefcase headphones singing ponytailed clipped ring of telephone baggy pants platform heels construction brown trainers red shirt stark against black tank-tops water bottle fed cigarettes still there shiny magnolia above turquoise button-up coffeeshop time window mirroring slick bricks bell throbbing tower young couple partial to black brow furrowed papers flapping trashcan pale blue baseball mushroom cap cornerstones brass tacks brunette push-button mulch miming white styrofoam shining reflections on treetop peeking shade laughing water up from grate down through grout listing to what leaning over piles of solitary walking stapled to lists invitation mailed notebooks rolling pink folder plastic needing light raven braided-pigtails truck rumbling orange juice and apple colored socks white-haired ears itching temporarily lost looking up day comes up goes down wheelchaired then leg-bent hips swaying eyes closed arms gathered arch of bicycle wheel well he said to Dr. Jones that he would be late on my assignment she hopes he remembers she’ll be absent today going home camo again cane black and brilliant fountain in rhythm with voice in speakers

how is it possible?

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Revision: 10.21.05
MWL