the imaginary zoo

the following was something i wrote based on something russ and i observed while sitting in front of the river in downtown portland:

On a bench in front of the river, okay view and I feel tired, jittery and I don’t like the clouds overhead. Next bench over sits an older man who is balding and carrying a clipboard holding important-looking documents. Young couple passes by, alternative/hippie-types, and man on next bench over disturbs them, “Sign a petition to keep unicorns in zoos?” Initial shock wears off, couple never stops walking but man turns slightly and in slightly disappointed voice squints, says, “No… I think unicorns should be kept free.” Nods as he speaks. Older man has no shift in facial expression, must understand the quip with which he was returned bore no injury to the curiosity that had escaped him long ago like an exhaustive sigh so indicative of an age at which the world is all but beaten down.