in defense of jaywalking

we stand, poised to run, on the curb
watching the cars crawl by, not a single set
of eyes looks towards us to motion us to cross
even though
even though this kind act of 5 seconds delay
would cost them nothing, rejoining the
prison of driving at the next light.
so we stand, poised to run, through
the line of cars, their eyes never
diverting from the bumper of the car
in front.
and we stand, poised to run, knowing
that a cross-walk could be there
but it still isn't, is it.