Prayer Flags

I’ve seen prayer flags on a rooftop
a gift, she said
legs crossed over coffee
wood stained somewhat irrationally dark
in a house of lighted windows

The roof became a peak
green in long metallic rows
summit almost out of reach
the flags brilliant against the sky
ponder the sun

And he scaled the scalding mountain
at noon on a Saturday
the aged cigarette cowboy broke his pose
to stare that a man could reach so high
feel the wind scented with hay and flame

I’ve seen a man, unsteady stand
drunk, they said
hands wound in the banner string
proclaim his god, his absent president
and fall, wide-eyed and wondering
ponder the earth.