I saw the boy at a stoplight, turned
my head for a moment, put the cup
of coffee on the dashboard.

I saw the sadness in his face, eyes
too old. The grass was a brilliant green
and the sun allowed no shadows.

Sounds of the city grew louder,
an old car with a flat tire huddled
next to the playground he stood in.

The light changed to green
and his eyes rose slowly up, up,
to trace a yellow balloon lifted away.