Word Flakes — Martina Reisz Newberry
What the metro signs offer,
what the bus signs say,
what the taxis and the shuttles
tack on the back of seats,
what the highway offers…
Watch Your Feet (they might get away from you),
Keep Your Eyes on Your Belongings (they could suffocate you),
Mind Your Direction (lest you find yourself lost),
Caution (always count on this one)
No U Turn (there has never been and probably never will be a real U Turn),
One Way (a lie)
Watch Your Step (see #1)
Wrong Way (pay attention to the voices in your head),
Hazard Ahead (now you’ve got it),
Do Not Disturb (nearly always ignored),
finally,
QUIET! (as William Stafford told us, “The least little sound sets the coyotes walking.”*)
*“Outside,” by William Stafford, from West of Your City, Talisman Press, 1960
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Martina Reisz Newberry’s newest collection, BLUES FOR FRENCH ROAST WITH CHICORY is available from Deerbrook Editions. She is the author of six books. Her work has been widely published in magazines and journals in the U.S. and abroad. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Brian, a Media Creative. martinanewberry.com