a sidewalk walks into a meeting

nobody hates sidewalks

until the sidewalk gets a name

and starts showing up in meetings

st. augustine beach is arguing about the SUN Trail

a trail is simple

in theory

you walk on it

you bike on it

you avoid becoming

a decorative hood ornament on A1A

then the maps come out

parking gets nervous

businesses get nervous

residents get nervous

the government says “public input”

and everybody’s soul

takes off its shoes

some people want safety

some people want access

some people just want one small part

of their day

to remain unstudied

that is local government

it can take a sidewalk

and make it feel

like a custody battle