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Modern English Tanka
Autumn 2007
running up
the subway steps, I blink
into the sunlight
past the shoeshine man—
you, waiting
with flowers
finally home
wet by sudden rain, we dry
each other . . .
outside, a neon blinks stars
onto the slick street
midnight,
a drone of lazy fans
in the dank air;
he kisses a bead of sweat
on my nape
lingering
a city asleep
in the rain, rivulets
find their way . . .
eyes closed, I stroke
the curve of your back
the window
half-open to city sounds . . .
at midnight
a mouse comes in
with the moon
slipping into sleep
my smile against his chest;
could it be the wine?
on the stoop, an old man
hums the blues
© 2007 by Carol Raisfeld
Works created by Carol Raisfeld are
copyright
and not to be copied or used
in any way without written
permission.
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