[stretched and penniless]

_____we lay
stretched and penniless
over victorian furniture;

naked angels drawing circles over our heads,
trapping us in age

as we contemplate the rumors
overheard on the train last saturday.

tumult and chaos erected a fountain
of spring water to be given freely
in the town center;

we are reminded of all the languages
that water translates into.

while making our way
to the fountain for drinks

you stepped on a salamander
and scared the angels away

leaving us unaided
to round up and round down

to the nearest wooden nickle.