Watercolor
The man sits on the subway. His elbow rests on the small ridge of window. His chin rests on his hand. Outside his window, tunnel gray and underground blurs rush by. He is Watercolor on Newsprint, 1962. I stand in a gallery watching him through a wooden frame; he is my window. I feel as if I know him—his tan coat, his brown boots, his deep eyes resting and open.
I leave the gallery. I step out onto wet pavement. I walk through the puzzle of parked cars. My ears fill with horns and the steady swish of tires on slick roads. I walk down stairs and under the city. I wait for the E Train, and when it comes, the doors slap open. I feel the breeze and bump of other riders—the dance of step off, step on. I find a seat. My elbow finds its place. My face leans into my hand. Outside is tunnel gray—underground blurs rush by. I am watercolor. I am fading.
Comments
Oh, what a wonderful compliment. Thank you.
Jan 31 March 09
Nice. I love “puzzle of cars.”
Funny, how differently I see these, depending on context (i.e., children’s lit critique group, versus reading them here without… rules? expectations? attached.)
Chris 7 April 09
Thanks, Chris. I completely agree with your thought—context is powerful. Thanks, as always, for visiting my space.
Jan 7 April 09
Commenting is closed for this article.
Jan. this is a prose poem: a small, complete thing that sings.
Jane 31 March 09