Cable Car Blues

barely visible drizzle rain
drowns downtown hill spirits
to spite the season
makes everything sag
with dragging heft.

shuffling tourists
await a crowded cable car,
conductor forces standees inside,
where burdened travelers
duck and strain their necks
to see the sloping wonder
of Gold California.

packs and packages squeeze
between poles and seats
a hefty woman
swells and gasps beneath her Sunday pleats.

red eyes and white knuckles
beg for release,
dream of sourdough
and chocolate
and tourist traps
where fisherman’s nets have been.