trash dash: manhattan iii

behind me a college student tries to convince a young girl to elope

the ritual of the second drink —

demulcent for a moment —

the argument loses its tune

like a good many dinners in so many illegal places

another cold night and the illusion of gin

central park forms endure speeches of electric illumination —

translate a scroll into a new language —

he sits with his arm around her

winks on the gloaming

our ears swathed around music —

plangent notes constrict the frigid night

“And bring back the smell of turf for the burning. Of her. Of me.”

— Fanny Howe / “Margo”