18. 20120820: umbrella, error, herb, ketchup, traffic lights, warship, slide

I stand on the corner for the lights to turn
from green to yellow to red
to stop the traffic so I can cross.

I take care as not to hold the umbrella in error
to prevent rain sliding onto my hot, brown paper package.

But a car plows though the rushing gutter flood
like a warship cuts through the ocean.

I imagine no herbs, or spices, or fancy reductions fits fries quite like ketchup,
well, aside from salt. But this water isn't even salty.

To the list of other pieces inspired by random words.