Leaves

On the way to work this morning;

A handsome native woman in layers of coat, warm and smiling, walking quickly southbound on the east side of 9th avenue beneath the bright streetlights. Scarf wrapped at her neck.

Two separate individuals within a block of each other who trip over two separate pieces of raised sidewalk and stagger for a couple of steps before recovering their composure. My thoughts were of the same subject when I saw these two men within seconds of each other; immediately my mind told me that I should consider that the subject of my pondering may be the cause of this physical reflection. I dismiss this, but I was thinking about my father.

A security guard – pitch black skin in a brilliant white shirt, headless and hiding in a vestibule at the City Hall parkade entrance.

Spectacular clear air. Crystal lights from downtown.

The walking man. Standing completely still and staring westward across the entrance to the new underpass at 3rd St. S.E. Kitty-corner to the King Eddy Hotel construction zone.

Made eye contact with a woman carrying a suitcase, a satchel and a plastic bag down Stephen Avenue. Contents; everything of value she could get out of the house while everyone else slept. On the way to the greyhound station to start a new life in Victoria B.C.

A short man leaning against the wall at Holt Renfrew smoking a freshly lit, whole fat cigar.

A despondent, hung-over executive walking slowly with care and pain, close to the wall of Toronto Dominion Square near the entrance to Earls Restaurant.

A frowning old grizzled face poking out of a lightweight black hoodie. Sitting on a concrete planter, hunched over, dangling cigarette. Cold man, all ‘round.

A happy young woman running with too much flailing, heavy baggage toward a don’t walk sign.

A purple-shirted, black-tied office worker marching, swing-armed and carrying lunch in a styrofoam container.

A shuffling Asian couple, woman out front scowling, man ten steps behind, limping in pain.

Gutters full of yellow and brown autumn leaves that crunch continuously as my bicycle tires cleave the piles.

17 minutes from door to door.