August "onion layers"

Here are several recent contributions to "Putting Layers on the Onion" --

Being really young
in red overalls
and cranking the gadgets
at the Science Museum.

* * *

The absolute joy
of choosing some
wonderful event --
especially the free ones --
all year long.

* * *

I enjoy Chicago pizza
taste: pepperoni
see: yellow
feel: greasy
smell: p. cheese cheese

* * *

underneath
a city reflected
I was the only
red thing

* * *

long wet streets
tap, tap, click
boom
yelling
the smell of rain










* * *

The train goes real fast.
Zip! Zip! Goes the countryside.
Get off. End of line.







* * *

A crowded El car with youth
Screaming about freedom.
Bodies pouring onto the streets
Falling under the tires
Of police cars.
"I never knew they hated us
that much."


Chicago in August
the busker in the subway
singin' the blues --
The construction of skyscrapers --
New skyline, New city;
Still, history is on display, and
Chicago remains Chicago.
(grey-blue paper, unknown scent)