To just walk around cities

god I just want to just
walk around cities. watch trucks
back their cargoes
to the loading bay lanes
of cafes. watch men unpack
bread, crates of veg and boxed
bottles of wine. watch the sun;
see the colour of buildings
in sunset. see them fire at night
like the ripples of frost
on a log. go to bookshops
and record shops -
buy things. try restaurants.
try local beers.
have people remark
with surprise
at my accent. live in a room
overlooking a street
where people sit on corners
and talk very late.

DS Maolalai