Jake's Flea Market

further downstream
where the snake skinned
old man* slows

out of energy
lethargic as a fat fly in october
november

where the snake skinned
old man writhes
between coulee cliffs like fat flies toddle
between doors and their jambs to die 
in the winterfrost

where behind urban windows on clifftops

urban windows clean
and clear as high mountain   fresh water

urban windows that overlook
the slowing of the snake skinned   old man

behind the eyes that look
out through the windows

people bend     over stand     over squat     over toiletbowls

in their puke they puke
in their piss they piss
in their shit they shit
side effects
of tablet and liquid
medications   taken
and medications not taken

seizure medications     cancer treatments     antibiotics     anti- inflammatories
     	anti- depressants     pain killers     tranquilizers     flushed     flushed
flushed through toilets     through sewage     through filters     through water treatment
into the veins of the old man


*Old Man River in Southern Alberta, Canada.