The Textile Downtown

[Municipal Alchemist]

The Textile Downtown

I spent last night milling with
the midday gentrifiers
found myself floating on
waterfire gondolas
patrolling the bridges
hugging the meanders
guarding the towers
empty cornhusks
rising from the riparian

Such a treasure
a gotham in a snow globe
a hamlet sandwiched
into a bay-tipped
quill-and-ink-run-dry
half century flown
by hey Buddy’s
running for mayor
I’m sure that will work out
fine

I spent my pittance
on scrap
metal a hammer
for the waterwheel
turning
slowly
slowly
the miller trapped and
drowning

I joined the late-
morning Narragansett
for brunch by the fabric
tracks across
the weaves
and looms
a click-clack
of something so
overcoming