"Burger King Crown" by Fern Fraser

Stoplight on 1st Ave and 2nd St

Sun beating on the road, the cars, my face–

the leftovers of summer’s wrath.

Muggy air and midafternoon sun,

cold air blowing from squeaking vents, 

a swirl of dizzying temperature.

Slowing down, 

red light my command

slotted into one lane over from the right

I pause my mad dash home,

seeing it neatly placed, 

upon head of tar speckled pavement

and white paint lines.

A crown,

made of cardboard,

lackluster yellow, luminated 

by sun’s hands reached through gaps in stopped cars

pockets of sunshine,

on royal pavement.

(Ekphrastic response by Maggie Ebinger)