the long parade

the parade surprises you.
stuck at the crossroads,
the cop stretches out
his arms to keep you from
going any further.
you have to sit and watch.
you roll down the windows
and turn the car off.
you hear the band,
you hear the marching
of boots. the roll
of pink and white floats,
you see the queen
waving. smiling. waving.
she's wearing a chiffon dress.
she looks like a flower.
then someone important
in a black suit rides by,
he sits in a car with other
important men and women.
all waving, and smiling.
the kids on the side of
the road, watching are bored.
you can see their faces
saying what a lame
and stupid parade.
something that looks like
a giant wedge of cheese
rides by, then a cow,
then fake cowboys on horses.
a clown sweeps up
behind them. you look at
your watch. you look at
your phone. it's a long
a parade. you take a picture
of a man on stilts
juggling, as he goes by
in the hot sun.