Swing and a Miss

Sun fell upon tired, cracked
Pavement, and catapulting back
The air shivered, slap, slap, slap
Echoes of footsteps behind him.
Two birds whispered mournful
Crying out to the dawn for-
ever beyond avian recollection.
A youth's arm quavering
With the grievous load of these
Short years. He calls out to her,
To the dawn interminably beyond
Overtaxed pavement.
He follows his shadow home.