sipping coffee
six floors up
gazing seaward
the gulls
gliding by
with promises
of flight
other writing
from a line by Meng Hao-jan: for a special friend
up there
tonight
every night
that old moon
keeping you company
lighting the road
all roads
that take you
home
in my arms a hollow spot
I found this place
for you
in my arms
a hollow spot
where only you
fit
6am, Thursday morning, Maltepe, Istanbul
I stand eating
corn on the cob
on my balcony
at six
in the morning
gazing at the Princes’ Islands
basking in the sun
listening to gulls
flying overhead
feeling peace
descend
on my world
Monday morning, open market, Maltepe; Istanbul
stalls spread out
for blocks
under canvas canopies
cherries apricots grapes
artichokes broccoli corn
men women pulling carts
a leisurely stroll
amid produce of the day
olives cheese nuts
shoes shirts pots pans
life going on
with food to buy
for dinner tonight tomorrow
this is the Turkey
I know I love
aware of unseen danger
but alive anyway
make the dreams go away
what does it take
how much should one ingest
to make the dreams
go away
this night it lingers
this night
it lingers
bow low
hoping
it will go
roosters crow
roosters crow
throughout the day
reminding us
life goes on
in the sunlight
that follows
each night
heavy with tears
the song
floating up
from Iftar
sadder this night
heavy with tears
two letters
two letters
span time
a possibility
hanging
in space:
if
Leonard Durso 