Let me tell you about one more statue
This one is a jazz man lying on his side.
One knee raised, chipping away at a gimlet.
The ruffles of his shirt spill down below his chest
over the pedestal and onto the floor.
This one is the shadow of a building large and looming
legs tucked under like a pigeon.
All statues are the same.
Moving around when you’re not looking shifting from one shape to another.
This time it’s a conquistador on horseback, sword raised head streamers streaming.
And now the horse has lost its rider gained a mountain.
Don’t move. Don’t blink. Don’t let your lungs collapse.
Next time it’ll be you, or behind you breathing down your neck.
—Bill Nelson