on the way up

on the way up

streetlamps & neon signs

oil streaked on the puddled sidewalk

high heels, nylons and satin miniskirts

elongated in the rippled

catwalks of So-Ho and

escape routes of China Town

the cockroach scampers through,

parting clasped hands

unlaced leather boots, paint-speckled sneakers,

intermingle - worn bald, tired and frayed -

scraping, skidding along

in the dollar beers of the Lower East Side

trying to keep pace

but pulses quicken in time

and fingers fumble, clumsily trying

to again interlock -

to seal the past away,

keep stolen nights hidden

alone -

the thumbs are left

indecisive, 

unable to admit 

it's time to part.

shined, patent leather, snub-nosed Loafers

glimmering in the glam of Rockefeller Square

passing more than judgements

pairs stand out,

stand out 

on street corners

swapping glances,

glancing blows

trying to bluff

but showing their hand 

in the sidelong gazes, 

mumbled words

sidestepping doubt and delusion

in tight-lipped silence.

they should have fought this fight

long ago