the lion pack traveling side
by side, though not evenly;
colliding shoulder to shoulder
territorial and instinctual.

trying to tame the manes
beneath logo-baring headgear,
hoping to hide soulful eyes
behind dark shades of plastic.

clothing loose to make up
for skin too tight, laughter
bouncing off cement and
rubber sneaker soles.

that musky scent of male
mingling with each individual
mixture of hopes and dreams
hits me in full force, leaving me
at a standstill long after the last
of you has passed me by.