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