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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Seasons” Down in the Dirt, v171 (the May 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Outside the Box the Down in the Dirt May-Aug. 2020 issues collection book		get the 422 page May-Aug. 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

city canvas / overdue

Ave Ventresca

a city sidewalk, however hard it tries,
will always remain gray. there will be no
trees of green apple or sound from stems
growing anything clean and sweet

Demetrius steps upon the city streets
he’s grown tired of stop signs and don’t walk.
he takes his shadow some place
where landscapes hold different shades
but it’s really the same gray
beneath his sneakers’ silence

his pocket holds a box of crayons,
crayola and the smell of brand new,
snatched from his teacher’s desk drawer,
and a library book
two weeks overdue, is under his arm

now cross legged upon cold curb
Demetrius studies the book jacket front and back,
then opens to the table of contents page.
with his index finger he strokes line by line

he doesn’t read. he can’t read. even though
the desks in second grade have seen him for two years.

noticing the wind or perhaps my presence,
Demetrius tugs his hoodie closer to cover his hair and cheeks

he pulls out his precious box of crayons
and stares. tight in his hand,
appreciating it’s clean and smooth. to his library
book he commands a dialogue of color

in this world he is protagonist. deciding
meanings, morals, and destiny of his weathered book

now begins the security, the comfort
of coloring unknown words, paragraphs and phrases,
page by page

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