and

faith and doubt
pain and joy
love and loss
bitter and sweet

and.
always and -- never or.
both, not either.

there's talk of times and seasons
as though
these things were orderly,
predictable parades.
spring following winter;
collectible cars behind
the fire brigade.

but on my street

the marching bands
and waving hands
and floral floats
and four-wheeled boats
and dancing troupes
and hula hoops

are in a heap.