MANHATTAN 1936.

A MAN WATCHING A WOMAN PASSING IN THE PARK IN 1936 MANHATTAN.

Each day she came by,
The old dame, with her
Darn dog, same time, same

Place, dog in the rear,
Her holding the lead,
Muttering loudly

To herself or else
Singing out some short
Aria that caught

The ear like an ache.
The beret, the large
Breasts, the same skirt or

Dress, the same old walk,
The wiggle and you
Staring at her as

She went by, the pipe
Clenched between your teeth,
The cap, the tired

Eyes, the I’ve seen it
All now, gaze, the fond
Memory of her when

Younger, the guys she
Had around her, the
Hiptalk, the love of

Jazz, the Black Bottom
Dance, craze after craze,
Days after days, all

That and more gone now
You thought. You watched her
Until she went from

Sight, the dog a mere
Speck. Gone. Empty now,
You mused. Wait until

Tomorrow. She’ll be
Back. Same time, same place,
Same walk, same wiggle,

Same backward glance at
You, watching, giving
You the wink, giving

You the nod. She’ll be
Back tomorrow, you
Hope and pray, please God.

Reviews

[Narnie]

This poem is exceptional. When I read the word 'daze' - with it being seperated by the others, I quite literally 'ohh'd' in my chair (yes, that's really true, heheh). That is the moment when the poem quite literally pirouettes. And then the rhyme of craze with the gaze a jump before keeps the rolling going and then she's gone. And you use full stops. And it is just perfectly motionless until you imagine her tomorrow. Wonderful.

[Jessica]

I read this and smiled at the images it gave my mind. I love the imagery (I'm repeating myself, I apologize xD) and I love your words. Great write! I enjoyed it.

[William Brett Starr]

Simple and sweet. It seems to be a gent's gaze and reflection as to what he is to perceive. I felt the simple flirtatious between the observer and the lady passer-by. He would watch her and watch her every move as she would walk out of sight. She knows and he knows but not a spoken word. A wink of the eye, I think that every man and woman has had this type of encounter at one time or another. Well written, well done. Bravo, bravo!!

[Georgia Gypsy]

Whoa, I didnt know what to expect, but the flow and form kept me wondering at the next line, the next thought he'd have. I really enjoyed the expectancy and joy for the next moment he'd see her.
Lovely piece of writing.