Side View

Ten silhouetted men in a police lineup,
Heel-to-toe, impatiently shuffling forward.
Even in a straight line, looking ragged.
The lateral take: craniums, squinting eye,
A pulse jumping behind the clavicle,
An earring, drifts of gray hair at temples,
The heads rocking smoothly like waves
Above a slight limp, a round weariness.
Got him, boomed an amplified voice.
No need to face front and make the families nervous.
They don’t want to see how far your ears stick out;
No need to face accusers you can’t see anyway.