In the presence of the city
chess is an alternative
ferocious order,
footnotes nested infinitely
and every move accountable.
In the presence of the city
pedestrians forget sequoias
lifting tons of water
into the sky by quiet breathing
forget the drop
off coastal rock, oblivion
one move away.
Towers with their bells
fall to earth
in the presence of the city,
and columns withhold all support.
The massive agreement stands.
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