Daybreak in Lima

i.
They talked
of the writhing
mass
of compassion
and the tangled
convenience
of the now.

ii.
"Can you indicate
to me the
location of..."
The translation
was rough
and the two
ended up wandering
through Lima
in the waning light-
blessing
unknown
rooftop gardens
for their
secret
infidelity.

iii.
Orange-swept night
was clashing
with rosy dawn-
lighting the wooden
stalls
and shadowing
flower baskets
waiting to be filled
by barefoot children
to hang
in their mothers'
rooms
in the hope
that the scent
would bring her
back.

iv.
It doesn't.

v.
Dawn wins.