the night sky
a grey slate
erased
by wasted wattage
of a times square
lost
without heroine
or whore
In a list
Comments
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I dislike double-space poems (even my own) and I know they are necessary for certain poems but in saying all that, I didn't dislike this one. Probably because it was so short.
I don't really understand this line:
"of a times square" -- it's really the "a times" that is confusing to me. Is it a play on words, or metaphorical, or what? I just don't get it.
Other than that line, I liked it. It mentions a whore, how could anyone dislike a poem that mentions a whore?
-Nam -
NYC is essentially my "home-away-from-home," given the frequency that I visit the city. When I do go, I always stay in Mid-Town, close to Times Square. It's funny for anyone who understands how incredibly changed it and Hell's Kitchen are just since the 1980s, not to mention the 1970s -- nicely summarized with the simple words "lost / without heroine / or whore". I therefore get the title, which places a context on the city at a point in the metropolitan changes created by the Guiliani administation at the time when he was "cleaning up" the city, the subways, and sending the Grammys to Los Angeles due to its "bad influences."
Then again, it's New York -- and it is worthy of poetry like this at any point of time.
Lovely work. Made all the more meaningful, so you know, because in two weeks I am going to the tribute to Jane Cooper and Grace Paley in Midtown at the Teachers and Writers Collaborative, and will be viewing once again that wonderful "grey slate / awash / in wasted wattage".
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Brilliant
Any commnet I would leave would be found lacking against the brilliance of this piece.
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Certainly, the lack of heroin is dismal, perhaps the nadir of the poem, not to mention civilization. But then to try and go whoreless as well? No, spank you. I think I'll just leap from the flaming skyscraper.
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don't worry, with all the new afgan heroin on the way there should be no problem with supply and judging by our esteemed governor the whores are in no shortage either but i must say they are a bit pricey...lol
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Such sparse language, and then 'awash' hits me with 'wasted' & this place becomes a sort of wasteland with an absence of the feminine altogether.
I think of the attempts to clean up the image of Times Square, the 'removal' of sex shops & prostitution. How much government regulation is too much?
Wonderful, thought-provoking write.
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Thanks so much, you really hit the nail on the head..
al
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Definitely deeper than first meets the eye. I read it twice. I have been crossing your pieces often and keep forgetting to go check out your page. I think I will bookmark this one so I remember next time. You are very talented.
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Beautiful.. so stark. It takes me back to n.y.c. late nights or rather early early mornings walking the streets and marveling at the difference those night hours bring to the city.
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Captivating and a hard hitter. The image I get from this is so desolate and final and yet in all finality there is a doorway hidden to faith. Great job on this piece.
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best of your titles i've seen in a long time-
great color images
great alliteration
excellent spacing and sound
wonderful poem.. much deeper than meets the eye
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I was watching the news last night and noticed all the hype about the explosion in Times Square (I do realize this isn't about that..) I got annoyed because the word explosion was in bright yellow and orange letters and designed to inspire mass hysteria..
Just what we need.
I like THIS, though. It makes me think of Times Square when it has emptied out some, and feels too still. I don't like anything when it feels too still. Always makes me a little nervous....like the dogs being too quiet..or the kids. You wonder what bad things are coming..
seeee, not that many words, and look how much you made me think
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I liked the feel that the sky was a man...
just where i went really....
saw so many men like this while working
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So much to savor in your work~ never one to waste words
and always just the right amount said. Perfect.
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your hand-
i'm sure god touched it before you were born
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Al, this is just excellent!
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Wonderful poetry as only you can write, Al.... beautiful.
~ Nicolette
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I agree whole heartedly!
I agree whole heartedlycwith everything that Yvette Champ says!
And besides that, this is another fantastic write! You are indeed an inspiration.
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God, you just shot me back in time, to the back seat of the Odeon Cinema with Anthony Tierney, black hair, irish green eyes and wanderlust hands... watching De Niro do his thang... great piece Al
thought provoking
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The poet excells at writing compact, tight writes and has another example of the impact that such a piece may make on the page. The title may set the time and place but this thought provoking write could be set within part of the west if " of a times square" was used metaphorically. One man's heroine is another man's whore and vica versa , perhaps every city would be lost without them both in reality and perceptually.
Good usage of alliteration within the usage of wasted wattage, yet maybe it goes deeper than a concern for global warming but says why illuminate the dark when this is what is revealed?
As always, these rambling perceptions have been peacefully presented from across the pond to the poet. Kudos.
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Yes.
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