The Sidestep

All those flyers, plastered bright,

smug faces in artificial light.

Promises slicker than cheap talk.

Stood on the curb, letting minutes walk

past me. Pamphlet heavy in my hand.

Felt like sinking in quicksand.

Or maybe I understood too much.

That quiet street, a different touch.

Just walked away, into the afternoon sun.

Left the whole damn thing undone.