A day of steam. 

A brutal day of slick icy steam 

Rolling from sewer grates,

Caressing intersections. 

 

A twelve-bar cloud rising

From the laundry vents,

Turning silver and falling as snow

Before crossing the roof line. 

 

Saxaphone vapor pouring out your nose

Freezing your mustache and beard.

 

Dirty icy electric guitar licks

Dropping from cars

As they slide by. 

 

A piano chorus

Billows from the car wash,

Freezing the ragged girl at the exit.

She holds a stiff towel

And a wad of dollar bills,

On fire flickering

 over her head.