Approaching New York City

This is a poem by Franz Wright that appeared in the New Yorker a while back. I really liked it.

Gray wastescape
by midday
glare, a sort of
empty refrigerator light
everywhere-

Approach to New York through the South bronx, vast
hives of home to the world
of death and breath, just like anyplace else
but different: the White House of God, maybe; mother-
like mountains or statues...

On the night Greyhound:
once in loose-fitting hospital gown you approached
and pushing the I.V.-stand before you down the aisle
stopped at my seat without looking down, startling me awake.
(And white roses rapidly spreading like cold flames, over your
eyelids, the endlessly uttered white petals.)

Approaching New York City
signifies, primarily, approaching you -always
has, your face
like the sky it is everywhere, at every
turn, though you're a prisoner of Not today

and taken far from me.
But I am on my way,

one way or another I will
come knocking as so many times before,
I won't be long:
oh I will once again
belong, I know it.

CLASSIFIEDS

Happy Birthday to Katie!!!