A Time & Place: Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA

pigeon flocks decorate the sidewalk
no one else calls them
pittsburgh eagles

the river runs behind one side
of the street
johnny unitas was born on the other side
beneath the hills
               (such trivia is wisdom’s
second cousin)

tom’s diner, open all the time,
serves non-stop breakfasts
always delicious

of course, there’s
               michael’s apartment
not quite a tourist stop
books on the floor
local artists’ paintings on the walls
yard sale, fold-out lawn chairs
for friends to sit on

though over seventy
he still uses a couch
for his bed
stack of books
for his nightstand

what he doesn’t know
won’t cover an envelope

most of his envelopes
have notes on
both sides