In the unspoiled country
time stops
for a bather innocent of evil
to luxuriate in the dawn
of a new day.
Across the river
time tunelessly ticks in the city.
A bather steps onto a blue bath mat
A child packs snacks in his Batman bag
A father sips a second cup of coffee
A mother sighs as her child climbs the yellow school bus
A man rushes down subway steps two at a time
A teacher takes attendance as students whisper
A dog lifts a leg on his favorite hydrant
A restaurant worker switches the sign to open
A street washer cleans the gutters on Wall Street
A firefighter greets a coworker at Engine Company 12

A worker presses the button for the 102nd floor
A plane flies through tower number 2
The clock stops at [8:45].
Back in the unspoiled country
the bather weeps.
Innocence drowns.