the runaway bagel

before

the first bite, the onion

bagel toasted

with a schmeer of cream

cheese

drops

out of my hand and begins to roll

down the sidewalk,

i rush to it,

but the wind keeps it rolling

along,

it hops a curb,

then into the street it goes.

i give chase,

but i'm far behind.

it's heading for

the Lincoln Tunnel

into Jersey.

i feel like there's something

that it knows.

that maybe it's time.