Electric Alice Again

4:30

During a break on the
overnight shift,
I took a quick walk
in the pre-dawn frost.

The moon is full, behind a curtain of cloud,
but I can still see her curves,
discretely,
and can't help but admire.

It was in the neighborhood of
St. Cecilia's Catholic Church
where the houses are old
and well-kept.

There is pride here, tradition,
an Irish Flag, a French-Canadian corner store
offering Pork Pies and Puteen,
a bodega, and a sign at the Spanish-American Club
promising the keys to English.

When there's no one around, I love you all...

That's what I'm thinking when
here, all at once, is Jesus -
dazzling in a crimson cloak,
brilliant nimbus of headlights,
open arms raised in
welcome.

Josh Ritter - The Curse

lapse

you know that tears have a certain
surprising viscosity.
you also know that your
eyes will turn semi-solid
without them.

you'd like to state your goals,
chart your progress,
but you've already
forgotten your password

666 Posts!

Morning Rounds

This morning's sun
casts off illumination
without warmth,
lighting the way for
three drunks snarling
traffic.

A symphony of horns, a near miss,
bundled under hoods at 9:17 A.M.,
they ford the river of commuters
to the liquor store, friendly
on the opposite shore -
a bastion - the real social service
in this neighborhood for the last
couple of generations.

You remember Crazy Eddie
in the same crosswalk
bobbing and weaving,
wet-brained,
boxing cars
back in the mid-70's.

They say it's going down to zero tonight,
the first true cold one,
and the three of you
staggering and swaddled toddlers,
are in need of better friends.

Wire - Pieta