To find the volume,
determine the length
of tongues, or was it
the decibels of oil
popping in the kitchen.
I think it’s a gas,
or a vapor, or the dust
swept up from the front
of a corner store—
from sidewalk
to street
blown back
when the first car passes;
only some of it lands,
what’s left is inhaled by
children with chilaquiles
still wet
on their lips.
Image credit: Sue Clark
