Swap Meet, Riverwalk Park
William Doreski

Content warning: substance use

Despite the crescent moon cradled
in the birch by the river
the usual drug deals go down
in a swirl of cash and tattoos.
The cops ignore the obvious,
although the paltry moonlight

shining on their shaven heads
seems to confer a distinction
that might be socially futile.
The swap meet features crystal meth,
although coke and smack also appear.
Fentanyl, too, the favored overdose,

and some red pills no one can name.
The points of the crescent touch
competing religions. The river
slobbers in its bed. The birch
remain aloof even when stoned
couples couple in its shade.

The cops drive away, leaving spoor
anyone daft enough could trace
to its source at the edge of town.
The park gathers up its flock
for a goodnight kiss the color
of the dark heart of the moon.

William Doreski

William Doreski has published three critical studies and several collections of poetry. His most recent book is Cloud Mountain (2024). His essays, poetry, fiction, and reviews have appeared in many journals, including Yale Review, Massachusetts Review, Antioch Review, Ploughshares, and Agni. He is a regular poetry reviewer for Harvard Review.