[lit-ideas] Re: Sunday Poem

In traffic approaching the Triborough bridge,
out-of-town dweebs,
unused to the waft and weave at midnight,
we were strangely pleased to respond
to the armed toll taker's
curt demand.

We acceded, held our wrists out.
He inserted heplocks.

This handy new system,
devised by storekeepers on the island,
is convenient as cash:

so many cc's
for an espresso, or beer,
more for a slice of Lindy's cheesecake.

In Manhattan in July, of course we sweated buckets,
but we had fun,
waw-kin' up and down
and all around.

We saw shows:
"Spamalot" and
"The History Boys."

It's true, the city never sleeps.
People seemed friendlier than I remember.
They'll now sell you six t-shirts for ten dollars,
and give you a trip to Staten Island and back for free.
But after all, it's still New York,
where almost everyone learns
the trick to making hard stone bleed.

David Ritchie,
(returned to)
Portland, Oregon

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