a storefront makes a place to live


today was the second in a mild thaw.
made friends with the late forties.
it didn’t rain like yesterday.

plenty of piles of dark, dirty 
coagulated snows and slushes
scatter the edges of sidewalks.

after dark patches of fresh ice form
smooth surfaces become slick.

i looked for the sun today.
made progress in its path
to agree with as much light as i could.

only passed through the park
to my chagrin.
the birds were insistent.

i went to Chinatown to look for blinds.
i bought a new notebook
and walked by so many people
in the close quarters of sidewalks.

one of my favorite buildings is gone.
a block above Canal
on the northwest corner of Howard and Broadway
stood a building i could never tell
the use of.  it was abandoned, shut,
a circle or octagon set in a corner.

it covered maybe a quarter of the lot
hemmed in by a tiny park
with little brittle looking trees.

the boarded windows gave the appearance
of a counter where things might be
sold or exchanged
like a concession at the carnival.

i like to think the shutters were blue.
it was always the middle of the night
as i walked down the cold windtunnel Broadway
i wished it for a home.











why i am
a nomad: