Monday Crossroads - Epifanio De Los Santos Expressway, Metro Manila Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

The car door closes,
I step back alone
To dirty streets
And dark shapes.

I make my way
Warily - as
EDSA roars above
The underpass.

The poor bring water
To sidewalk homes
In plastic buckets
Yoked or dragged.

Vendors roll their mats,
Set out their goods,
Cigarettes and gum -
Trifles and trivia.

On a concrete step,
A dark-haired child
In t-shirt and shorts
Sleeps fitfully.

As dawn is rising
In the viscous grey air,
The traffic crowds
To cacophony.

Reddening clouds -
In the steel grey dawn
Skyscrapers emerge
In serrated edge.

The hotel canopy
Takes me in
Cool marble and sweet air
'Good morning, Sir’.

Entering my room
There is disorder
Sheets and pillows
Thrown aside.

And you have gone
And with you love.
Sweet-heart stay well
As day breaks hearts.