Vapors Push Up Through

vapors push up through
the ground like fingers and hateful little
leaves change direction and intersect
clicking at my shins with tiny mouse teeth

soldier boot vodka sinks through
disturbing something rolling in its sleep
and I can’t stop falling down
and I can’t stop falling down

the empty streets I weave through
when I've had too much to think
and bushes slouch like lepers and I startle
at cats and shadows of cats

2009, but from really old notes (2005?)