New York Winter 1975

By John I. Blair

Icy weather blasts us
As we trace Jamaica Bay
Into the town

With here and there
Burnt-out husks of cars
Announcing Brooklyn.

“Don’t go in the park”
My in-laws warn
“Or you’ll be mugged.”

So we hide inside
The row house, scarfing
Pizza by the slice.

On the subways after dark
Paranoia
Takes our tokens

And even silent snowfalls
Fail to soften
All the stony streets.

New York, New York,
Place apart,
Can show a frozen heart.

©2007 John I. Blair