20 reminders

I duck 20 times

on my walk to work

took 20 light bows

to these DC streets

in autumn at least the fiery red leaves

are warning signs to get out of the way

in winter its branches like old razor blades

hanging in the sky at the perfect height

to take out an eye [on stiletto days]

the average height for American men

is five feet nine / one meter seventy-five

which is – as you may have guessed

precisely eye-height [on stiletto days]

so I take 20 little swings of my head

passing streets lined with beautiful trees

that are trimmed exactly at the right height

for the average American man

to make his way through his day

carefree

and on my way home

I bend my knees another 20 times

every time a little reminder

that even the trees know

that I'm not from here