The July world
in its state
of woundedness;
even these palm trees
list and lean
every direction
along the avenues
having taken hits
in a desperate wind…
Along Venice Blvd
a man in oily rags
digs through a garbage bin
another, a block later
with an imploring sign
that reads–”Thanks in advance
for any help you can give…”
Help for the coast–lost
in its mist…help for the streets
torn up, as if bombs have hit;
Help for the police
who need to make their arrests
and help for an afternoon thief
who wishes the window
he jimmied open
was just a little wider
so he could
more easily
climb in.