Watching the Night

two cars turn left onto a lonely street
tailgates curve around the bend into darkness.

a bus rolls by with a single passenger seated
way in the back; he is reading Lolita before heading
home to a loveless marriage.

Christmas decorations light the street,
two women stop in full view to deeply kiss.

a taxi stops at the red light, a streetlamp illuminates
a plume of exhaust, before it drives away
to destinations unknown.