Eastern Parkway

The Eastern Parkway

in Brooklyn

is the first purpose-built parkway

in the United States.

Often when I walk to work

people are hanging out on benches

or riding their bikes.

It's nice to live in a community

with Caribbean and South American people

who enjoy socializing outside.

Who don't think that anybody

standing on the street is

automatically a criminal.

Who look out for one another

and know when the rhythm of something is off.

It's also nice to walk among the changing trees.

Autumnal Brooklyn

It's time for sweaters

and maple sugar candy

and all the 

Long Islanders

to go up to my hometown

to look at leaves

and spend money on our apples.

I may even have to join them

this year.

Despite my crippling allergies

Autumn is my favorite season.

Layers

without hats and mittens.

Warm drinks

without snotsicles.

And sitting out in nature

watching the wonder of the world

as it changes.

Breathing our last breaths

in the susurrus caesura of a park.