there she is
that sassy girl
changing hearts
changing minds
dancing her way
through life
the studio the club the street
her stage
all eyes on her
covet her
but in the depth
of night
she only dances
for one
only allows him
to see her soul
other writing
listening to James Taylor
he feels fine
I feel fine
going to Carolina
in my mind
or at least
what Carolina is
to me
and James
he’s going with me
singing away the blues
the sun shines
the moon shines
a highway stretches
out there
before us
forever
so saddle up
James and me
we are headed
for Carolina
and home cooked meals
lazy afternoons
our mothers setting the table
our brothers teasing
each other
and James and me
we got a girl
there in Carolina
in our mind
on thinking too much
sometimes
my brain gets ahead
of me
and I play catch up
but by the time
I get to where
my thinking is
it was
and I’m left hanging
my heart stranded
in air
so sometimes
I should just
let it go
off on its own
and stay put
where the heart is
letting things follow
whatever course they follow
without thinking
too much
final destination
mountains rivers
to cross
an ancient road
leading to cherished goods
a traveler embarks
on foot
uncertain of what awaits
at the final
destination
listening to Rodgers & Hart
children play outside
women laugh at table
a father pushes a swing
sprinklers water lawns
wind rustles curtains
a feral cat cries for food
the sun rises
and sets
this is a day
like any other
and yet words
were exchanged
promises made
a future unravels
where once
only a past existed
and those lyrics
to Rodgers and Hart
take on a new significance
once again
listening to Miles
the wind blows
outside
Miles’ trumpet blows
inside
and I am back
in Frank’s
with Alvin and Henry
drinking after hours
the bar’s doors locked
and we regular patrons
on weekend nights
sit sipping our drinks
inside
and it’s there
Miles on the tape deck
Alvin does some scat singing
Henry’s babyface smile
and there at 18
I think I own the world
or at least
this small part of it
in The Village
at 3am
with my friends
scotch on the rocks
poetry in our hearts
and the night
will never end
at least not until
morning
which always comes
much too soon
much too often
then
and now
in a world that’s changed
and hasn’t changed
and Miles’ trumpet
haunts now
more than before
or maybe my ears
listen better
to wind
to trumpet
to the world
changing me
empty heart
as I lie face up
on the hospital bed
waiting for 5 stitches
in my hard Calabrese head
Ali says
your ekg was good
your heart is better
than a young person’s
and Adnan nods
his blood pressure too
it’s because you have
an empty heart
Ali says
empty I ask
no woman he says
no woman no pain
Adnan smiles
a little laugh
some sad recognition
of a truth
they both share
and I think
maybe it’s time
to fill it
here in a city
among true friends
for even some pain
is better
than lying empty
and unused
the cat at home
the cat wanders
from room to room
intrigued
by the many windows
all with screens
that he now
stares pensively out
he has readily adjusted
to his new home
completely forgetting
the past
as only cats can
sifting through chaos
sifting through the chaos
left by those
who never cared
about the consequences
of how they handled
your life
where oh where
will it end
when oh when
will I find
the pieces I need
the future
like always
will be here
sooner than expected
just when
I was finally
getting used to
the past
ain’t that
a kick
in the head
Leonard Durso 