the poster boy's delight

The air is trivial
for it stinks like scum
that hangs from the roofs
of gutters
that show love to me

this kid i watch rubs his hands
mercilessly
trying to get glue out of his fingers
that sticks to him like a bad word someone once said
that i know all about
A man comes by and hands him a folded paper plate
i launch my umbrella towards the sky
for the air is heavy and poised to vomit

he puts out his hands as if to beckon punishment
As the drops grow heavier
his hands return to softness he had forgotten
the adhesive drips like molten lead to the ground
he manages a smile,i think
and then picks up the plate
which is gluey all the same
but he doesn't mind,neither do i

my chauffeur arrives and i board with relief
the rain is causing a mess
i look out towards the boy

his paper plate sits filled and untouched on the pavement

i twist my muscles further and i see him fighting
to keep photographed heads above ground
the poster almost falls upon his embrace
as if to save him from the rain
but he doesn't mind
before i can see anymore the cold engine
lets out a rant
and runs me away
from the blur i can hardly open my eyes to