nose turned up in
cracked, dusty sod
kissing the curb
and licking up the grit
from my chin--
i've been rubbed raw
by stubble and
hot summer
asphalt, but never
both at once
i've fallen for the
gutter, hit the dugout
scraping knees
and teeth like incidents
of child's play
call me street sweeper
or gravel eater,
i'm just looking for
a warm bite
rolling down the block
they used to say to me
summertime girl
but sunburn or sidewalk
surfer, the season's left me
spun out
