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
dinner
Christmas in Izmir
I passed
on going to
a movie
in 3D
with strangers
instead
set the table
linguine
with cauliflower
white wine
extra treats
for the cat
loaded music
on the DVD player
Sibelius Aaron Copland
Joshua Bell Sarah Chang
and Miles
Sketches of Spain
greeted
the ghosts
of Christmases
past
who joined me
and peace
reigned
in my heart
here
in Izmir
this Christmas
what a life
peanut butter
from the jar
crunchy of course
for dinner
plus bits and pieces
of steak
graciously given to me
by a neighbor
for Bayramı
and a glass
of ice cold water
man
what a life
I lead
then back to Katzenzakis
bound and determined
to finish this
by dawn’s light
Leonard Durso 