STREET FAIR ON MALLORY SQUARE

Joseph Kerschbaum

sea of unfiltered voices

filled the evening air 

crowded streets bodies

in close proximity 

without a concern

when we had faces

before smiles & teeth

disappeared 

acquaintances transitioned

to familiar strangers where 

suspicious eyes stare

as if everyone has 

a concealed weapon 

could murder you with air

strolled between vendors

unaware so many endings lurked 

in the shadow of ferris wheels

carnivals extinct 

streets hollow & silent 

almost smell funnel cake

last time on this block

which you couldn’t know

would be the last time 

before now which is how

last times for anything 

happen today

unremarkable in passing

something disappeared

how long until you discover 

only a memory remains 

•••
Joseph Kerschbaum’s most recent publications include Mirror Box (Main St Rag Press, 2020) and Distant Shore of a Split Second (Louisiana Literature Press, 2018). His work has appeared in journals such as failbetter, Panoply, Umbrella Factory, The Battered Suitcase, and The Delinquent. Joseph lives in Bloomington, Indiana with his family. You can visit www.thirstyocean.com to learn more.