The Roman Way Or The O. Henry Twist Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

I dreamed I took the wrong road into the city and

the one littered with stars with craters

it's noon and the shops are closed.


no one around. or if they are,

they stare off into distances at traffic helicopters from the parking lots

as if they were from another century


and didn't know a thing about the Wright brothers.


or in the riff raff out of the way cafes

fend off the customers from out of state

all along the parkway.


where can I turn around.

there are no signs

there were no signs


you've been here for decades now

though there was no welcoming committee to speak of

at least the ghosts could have said something audible.


and I just did.


mary angela douglas 7 march 2020