The erratic heartbeat of the city
As rubber padded thunk moves level
Carhorns join in melody
The rush hour music playing strong.
The hum, the purr, the growl of engines
Darkness descended, the beast’s upended
To prowl in search of life outside
The daily click clack,
The daily grind.
And on in bursts of ebb and flow
Below the Danube creeps past slow
A moon appears to offer light
But not tonight… Not tonight.
Illuminating city streets
Arising from the shadows creep
There is no need for stars tonight,
Fluorescence is the guiding light.
And deeper, darker, into the hollow
Blending with the nighttime cheer
The beast appears to disappear
Appearing once again tomorrow.
© The Hairy Teacher, December 2006, (revised May 31st, 2020)