by W. Luther Jett
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| Three people were arrested by Florida Highway Patrol Sunday evening at the Pulse nightclub memorial site, after witnesses say they again attempted to chalk the nearby crosswalk in rainbow colors that were recently removed by the Florida Department of Transportation.—Central Florida Public Media, August 31, 2025. Photo by Nicole Darden Creston/Central Florida Public Media: Early Sunday afternoon, a sign reading "Defacing sidewalk prohibited" stands next to an area of sidewalk chalked with the phrase "You can't erase us." Florida Highway Patrol cars are seen in the parking lot across the street behind the building. |
There was chalk
on the sidewalk and they—
the owners of the sidewalk
erased it.
Then it rained
while the sun shone—
We all saw the rainbow
before they put up walls
to hide it,
But you see
no-one really owned that sidewalk—
no more than anyone could own
the sky where the rainbow
shimmered.
And if anyone
ever tells you they have touched
a rainbow—they are not
being truthful.
But I have held
chalk in my hand, chalk
all colors of—well, you know
how chalk dust rubs off—
how it gets
all over everything.
W. Luther Jett is a native of Montgomery County, Maryland and a retired special educator. His poetry has been published in numerous journals as well as several anthologies. He is the author of six poetry chapbooks. His full-length collection “Flying to America” was published by Broadstone Books in 2024, while his most recent chapbook “The Colour War” was released by Kelsay Books in 2024.
