Rhythm Or Without

pari passu (PAH-ree PAS-soo) adverb

At an equal rate or rank.

Whisper jazz as
overcast
clouds cover,
coast ahead.

All the pathways set
in stoned concrete
pavement squares--
a half-sleep haze
day
courtesy of the
WPA--
to the tinny tap taps
(my shoes
keep the beat)
mapped in my head.

Firm lipped
mumbled winter scats
blues up those flat souls
and frozen tongues
slapping the cement
amused by
the fuse lit in
what I say
instead.