A Sideways Glimpse At Paradise (Philadelphia, Logan Circle 1998)

I would die to be a child 

curled along the curve of the 

angel facing south.

I imagine melting there. 

The geyser pumps its fervent fist 

to heaven. The aquatic angel 

glows like newborn glass blown thin. 

The sun scatters the scene as the thermometer 

breaks 100 degrees.  

I drop my shirt across the rim 

of the enormous fountain 

and tip-toe in 

wrapping my legs around 

the concrete belly 

and glimmer.