Miami – Crowds

The crowds bring me close to panic
walking through the layer of scent
it is all too intimate-
too much knowledge
disconnected from the people it belongs to.
Sweet, sour, medicine
perfume, pungent body,
candy lip gloss,
too much.

I have to twist sideways
to avoid touching strangers.
My throat clenches.
I already know enough.
Damaged wrist,
swollen shoulder,
the woman to my left has a knee that aches when it rains.
Knowledge I can do nothing with
bombards,
and overwhelms.
I hold my breath
and ache for gaps to escape through.