the sidewalk
jackhammering
blades slicing through cement
men's heads and shoulders bent
sparks pitching in the air
making holes and dents
a hundred and thirty decibels
so loud it breaks my spectacles

They’re tearing up
my green eyes
as the dust flies
the ground splits open
smoke billowing in clouds
that can’t be broken
I can’t swallow
I’m choking
men covered in dirt
sweat rolling off their shirt
ditch so deep
you can bury bodies half asleep