the avenue of the flags

sitting in the only shaded spot
away from foot traffic
my daughter
writes boys’ names
on her sneakers
in rainbow ink

while
the avenue
of the flags
sets Miles Davis
in motion
straight up
to loudly snap those flags
in unison
popping August air
already sizzling with oil
& dusted cinnamon

everything here
can be sold battered,
fried & eaten
on a stick
from bacon to butter
& even cheesecake
but
who wants to swallow that
when we can stir
& taste afternoon sunlight
stain-glassing
those flags & fluttering tents
to spun sugar candy floss colors
melting on our tongues

as caricature artists
cartoon the lovers
leaning into each other
on canvas paper

preserving
a more natural
but still forced
sweet