Until He Leaves
one building stands
on Garnet Street
between canals
and tunnels
a woman
lies in bed
holding the pillow
of her lover
he is gone
she will not
change the pillowcase
till he returns
she rests her cheek
against his scents
inhales deeply
dreams of his return
she was once
the best
one-armed stripper
in Brooklyn
now she waits
her belly soft
her hair short
her life lived
in daylight
once again
he will return
smelling of beer
and street corners
and regret
if there's money
he'll bring flowers
bodega bouquets
she'll place them
in the coke bottle
on her side
of the bed
some nights
he crawls under
the covers
reeking of sweat
and failed plans
she changes the
bedding in the
morning
new pillowcases
until
he leaves
again
one building stands
on Garnet Street
between canals
and tunnels
a woman
lies in bed
holding the pillow
of her lover
he is gone
she will not
change the pillowcase
till he returns
she rests her cheek
against his scents
inhales deeply
dreams of his return
she was once
the best
one-armed stripper
in Brooklyn
now she waits
her belly soft
her hair short
her life lived
in daylight
once again
he will return
smelling of beer
and street corners
and regret
if there's money
he'll bring flowers
bodega bouquets
she'll place them
in the coke bottle
on her side
of the bed
some nights
he crawls under
the covers
reeking of sweat
and failed plans
she changes the
bedding in the
morning
new pillowcases
until
he leaves
again
Until He Leaves
