Hindley Street

the crane is big enough
to seduce the most jaded of passers by
into stopping to marvel
at the grinding wheels of industy
i'm half way past it
when i get the fear
picture its toppling bulk
crushing me like a large ripe olive
i scan the footpath
for a refuge to dive into
upon hearing the first
creak of metal fatigue
or pitched cry of alarm
i discount the metal cafe tables
and various vehicles
settling for scurrying between doorways
a baseballer stealing home