Dolphins stitch along the republic

For which they swim beyond the rock.

They’re half asleep or swimming sick.

Emptiness winds around the block;

It turns me into a period without a sentence.

Dogs of careless owners investigate

A carcass, pawing, thrusting, intense

Tail-wags like yellow flags at a race.

Is my humanity in danger? On the margin

Of the boardwalk, kiosks still sell

Cotton candy. Why? My government

Makes me nostalgic for grade school.

There’s an egret-cum-Henry Moore

Sheepish in the park, pointing me to war.

But there are no troops anymore

To rally a man of my small talents;

Only computer screens and arguments.