8

poems from
Traveling Papers

Oscar Sarmiento

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There Is a Line

 

  


There is a line of gray doves
       -fleas
in the mussed feathers
      and their beaks
without a breadcrumb- here
at the National Bank.

In the sky a midday sun
       -its yellow rays
            off the buildings-
slides over their heads.

Some seem now to be raising their voice;
others don't say a word.

And if you open your eyes you see
the pitted beak and
        the belly
of these retired doves.