homeward bound

three flights of stairs,
up
and up and up.

I carry everything in
from the truck.

then move the truck because it's Monday
and the right

side of the street

is being swept clean
by the city today between

noon and two.
I find a spot on Georgia avenue,

across the street
from a tattoo parlor,

a rib joint, a strip club and
a 7-11.

there's a drug deal going
down in the alley.
there's a car

on cinder blocks.
something in the park
is on fire.

cops are nowhere
to be found.

business is booming.

I get my job done.

half surprised that
the truck is still there.

i'm homeward bound
again.