Turning from the sunset, southbound I-35W and Johnson St. NE

the sun is drawn below the evening sky
by these pale steeds
as we are driving this last southward curve down
to the river

and then how it will sometimes strike you:
the terror of these reigns
going slack,
this wisping yoke of cloud
breaking into a thousand
waves cresting far away into the cold,
the buildings creeping closer
reaching up with their
topknots of lifeless smoke

but don't you feel how all the high-
way traffic in these narrow courses
pulls you back around
to the earth?
phaeton you fool
can you hear this honking?
what was it you were trying to prove up there
in that titanic sky?