The Bounce of the Light

The inside of the throat of the alley pelts against your feet

Sound that resonates out to stone and melting wood

Ripples to rivets and back

A testament to your bearing, a trace

No good

-

One strong push and you’re over the fence

Rolling on impact with grass

A foot away from you is gravel

You grab a handful and store it in a pouch

-

The inside of the cathedral smells like quilting and wine

It was supposed to be empty

But a woman drapes over a pew, sobbing

Just beyond her, in the bounce of the light

You see the amulet

-

The next day you remember

While pawning the amulet

The pouch full of gravel

Never did find a use for it