runway

two tall, twiglike waifs using the houston street median as their own catwalk.

a small male photographer across the street. his camera hugged in his palm.

a tragically hip woman at his side. looking on with a critical eye.

the light changes.

the small man and overdone woman bark to "walk! walk! walk!"

and as i, myself, begin walking across the wide roadway, modestly attempting to trudge my sunday groceries home.

the two waifs begin prancing. pouts in check.

new orders are shouted:

"stop! stop! stop! go back."

the four tiny, fragile legs scamper back to their mark.

the photographer is frustrated. hand on his head. crying:

"just . . . walk like a normal person!"