The Poetry of
Michael G. Khmelnitsky

i'm all set to photograph
the arch

when the tae bo tai chi kind of
lady whatever

insists with an irritating tenacity
get out of the circle

i ask why
& she repeats

get out of the circle

puzzled i comply
& she suddenly

throws pennies
on the map

on the ground
& they bounce off me

land at my feet

it's for america
she exclaims

puzzled i look on
it's for america

she explains

i roll my eyes
and say

well that was
interesting

& go on