they descend like seagulls upon carré d'youville
infested-- plagued-- with suburban overkill  

girls whose chests are illustrated with cannabis
spraypaint "f*** chrétien" on the royal bank edifice 
boys drink the latest  from the microbrewery
sporting impudent nose and eyebrow jewelry

a man with an earring nods to "heart-shaped box"
as his partner curses televangelist flocks
i try to shut out the tabarnaks 
watch the crosslight   avoid the bike racks   condemn them

for being so crass and lewd     forget
that it's only smug certitude   try to



drown out
			silence
					the public mood  



drown out
			silence 
					in solitude