the romance
of trains
doesn’t last
on weekly commutes
especially when minus
a bar car
other writing
last words
your last words
crumbs in my mouth
failing to fill
the void
you left behind
the only air
close the windows
shut the door
breathe deep
she said
the only air
you’ll need
is right here
with me
in the air
what is left
a faint wiff
of perfume
in the air
between then
and now
at the café with V
there you are
leaning to the side
a strand of dark hair
falling carelessly
across your cheek
your chin resting
on the index finger
of your left hand
the cup of cappuccino
the foam undisturbed just yet
raised halfway
to your parted lips
and the look
in your curious eyes
as if contemplating
what to say
as if anything else
dear heart
but this
is needed
by me
here yes here
here is a seed
here some earth
pour some water
gather some sun
wait a day
a month a year
a century perhaps
but here yes here
will be life
the custodian Ahmet
there is much
to admire
in the graceful sweep
of his broom
the easy smile
as he empties
the trash
a simple gift offered
a glass of cay
a handful of cherries
the hand covers
his heart
as a way of saying
thank you
my friend
a belated Father’s Day poem: pasta e fagioli
my father
handed out towels
to the Republican elite
to dry themselves
after a workout
a dip in the pool
a shower
before they went home
to that perfect life
in Westchester County
while he took the subway
to Jamaica
caught the Bee Line Bus
home
90 minutes
if he was lucky
to a warmed up plate
at 9pm
of pasta e fagioli
the only heaven
he knew
long black hair
there was a woman
at the café
who kept brushing
her long black hair
tossing it back
over her shoulder
the way I’ve see
you do
sitting in your house shirt
in our bedroom
the same motion
before you would blow
a kiss
my way
suddenly
I am lost
in memories
of you
a slight reworking under different circumstances but the motion, the memory the same
a long time in passing
a little black dress
the wiff of perfume
in the air
as she passes
and suddenly
there you are
front and center
in my memory
and this night
will be a long time
in passing
Leonard Durso 