National Poetry Month 2011, Day #18: A Sense of Direction

this morning
the street signs in my neighborhood
are leaning

I suspected a drunk driver
but nothing else is damaged
just the street signs
are leaning

almost surgically

and I'm couching today's self-confidence
in a clever turn of phrase
until my shortcomings
are tallgoings

and I'm overhearing awkward conversations
about bad parts of town
and I'm watching old people stand while
young people refuse to give up their seats

tomorrow
city workers will have righted the street signs
but the impression is left

and direction will be suspect
the way home a little less defined