The man at the crosswalk was not paying attention
he was daydreaming, thinking of his house
his wife, their bed, her hips
he might not have moved, had the lady behind him not shoved
The man at the crosswalk was perfectly still
staring straight ahead, one hand on a white stick
the other holding the leash of a very calm dog
who did not move an inch, until the light changed
The man at the crosswalk was nervous
looking both ways, then at his watch
knowing he had to be careful, extra careful
because you never knew what drivers might do
The driver was not paying attention
so when the light turned red, he never saw it
just as he never saw the wide eyes of a nervous man
right before he struck him