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I could have exited this trance 
But you emerged an unintentional beguiler
You could have been a thespian display 

I saw you dancing on the stage

And lately 
I have been alone 

I saw you picking up the pieces 

Records 
Gemstones 
Assorted paraphernalia 

I almost thought that I should talk to you 
But could you see my smile running through 

We are walking down this captivating street 
You said you had to catch the train 

I should think to mail you a copy of your things 
Broken records that we played  
The abandoned wooden turntable 
We used to dance around in Misha’s old apartment 
Singing Frank Sinatra in your motionless falsetto tune
Couldn’t you convince your deep voice to shine through 
Abandoned mirrors with your synergy to prove 

We used to brood around third avenue 
Catching all the tourists pushing through
Running towards a plaza
Passing as your older sister 
Eat a dumpling by your school 

One day there was a park bench
Shuffling your feet 
You asked me 
Stupefied—
The owl sang a different beat—
Which moment I had liked 
I said this is a dive bar in New York 
There are gaudy advertisements for a hospital to save your life 
Homeless people living on the streets
And a man in a blue shirt is selling blueberries on an abandoned corner 

I was cancelling appointments 
Business is crumbling 
In a cab impromptu just to see you 
Landing in the middle of an old department store 
There are only nightmares made on thirty fourth street 
Then you chose a collared shirt 
And I whisked you off to dinner 
We are sitting at a table waiting for a cup of water 
Then you ordered all the bread 
And then I ate it 

Lexington and Madison 
Sip a tonic from a drugstore 

You dashed out of a subway train
Treading on the asphalt 
Came from Brooklyn just to see me for a moment 
But could not follow through
Dancing with too many people
You told me you would like to look at all the girls 
Well not explicitly of course 
I stalked home in the midst of aplomb and apology
Stupidity that carried through 
Paint a visage made of marble 
Illustrate a message made of you 

You were looking at a movie star
We inhabit many benches 
Nestled in a park 
The first day you were biking on your way to see me 
It was February 
And the rain had beat the cold 
Stood beneath a plastic clear umbrella 
You made it romantic all the same 

You should stop taking bicycles 
It was almost autumn 
Six months is just enough to weather platitudes 
And for your ruthless spirit to shine through 

I am circling the tennis courts 
Dog walkers come through 
I always thought I’d harbour quite a memory of you
It is much past midnight 

In those old days we always followed through 
And did you think you could have loved a girl with hazel eyes 
Who always was much prettier than you 
Older than you 

Another couple circles with the dog 
I remember how you loved your sister’s kitten 

And would you like me to still show up to your party