First Offense
I'm sorry, officer, I didn't see
the sign
Because, in fact, there wasn't
any. I tell you
The light was green. How
much is the fine?
Will the tumor turn out malignant
or benign?
Will the doctor tell us?
He said he knew.
I'm sorry, officer, I didn't see
the sign.
Not every madman is an agent of
the divine.
Not all who pass are allowed to
come through.
The light was green. How
much is the fine?
Which is worse, the rush or the
wait? The line
Interminable, or fear of coming
fate? His anxiety grew.
I'm sorry, officer. I didn't
see the sign.
I'm cold sober. All I had
was one glass of wine.
Was anyone hurt? Is there
anything I can do?
The light was green. How
much is the fine?
Will we make our excuses like so
many clever lines,
Awkwardly delivered? Never
to win, always to woo?
I'm sorry, officer. I didn't
see the sign.
The light was green. How
much is the fine?
--David Lehman