a soundtrack
playing
in airports coffee shops
from store speakers
out of passing cars
their lives
mingling somehow
with mine
a soundtrack
playing
for the movie
of our lives
other writing
another holiday
another holiday
here there
somewhere in between
just passing through
on the way
to someplace else
toward sleep
a plate of beans
marinated sundried tomatoes
a glass of wine
all to ease one
in the night
moving steadily
toward sleep
from lines by Po Chü-i: only memories
a picture
between the pages
of a book
read long ago
when your presence
was near
but now
only memories
and a pain
stabbing my heart
5:15am, Moda, Istanbul
there it is
the call to prayer
and being up
as usual
I answer
Saturday morning, Moda: waiting for the rain
thunder sounds
the cat’s ear perk
waiting for the rain
to come
to wash the heat
away
a nod to Su Tung-p’o who gave a nod to Confucius: riches abound
a glass of whiskey
the cat on my arm
the sounds of night
riches abound
from a line by Li Po: old friend your heart
gone the sun
halfway round the world
to you old friend
your heart
my heart
halves of a whole
and this night
coming your way
with my heart
on its way
with a nod to Shen Yüeh: remembering
remembering
the way your gown fell
to the floor
as you almost shyly
stepped away
leaving it forlornly
abandoned
like my heart
this night
dinner at Café Rea, Moda
a woman pushing 60
dances solo
to a David Grey song
as I drink mineral water
while waiting for my fettucine
with salmon
the air conditioner putters along
and we all hope
for the heat
to end
Leonard Durso 