scratching into the wall of the 2nd floor ladies' room

trust me
hounds can absolutely
pick up your scent in water.
they will follow you up to 130 miles.
they can pick up on a 300 year old trail.

it's best to get lost in a crowd.
dilute your trail of shed skin and hair
in the detritus of the city. at night, however,
there's no one to be found. they followed the sound of saxophones
home at dusk. the soft tune oozes from municipal speakers til well after dark.

the streetlights are strict decorations,
and remember, it's illegal to have a lit lantern outside
or put candles in windows. i hope you've been eating your carrots.