Even though I grew up
from 2 white collar working-class parents
and earned my Masters,
The dirt under my fingernails
always stayed put,
even under the thickest Aqua lather—
The bars are now open
but they are empty,
even on a Friday afternoon.
The wasps are starting to wean
away from our summer-burned heads
hidden under the patio roof umbrella.
Fall is here, without its vibrant colors.
Subways are full of schoolchildren again.
Favorite hoodies are worn in.
Gin and tonics never fail to work their magic;
the work refrigerator is now clean.
Welcome to another long weekend!
Blooming onions never cease to amaze me,
even when there’s only crab cakes
warming up the table.
“We’re at LIC!” the dude
with a Guinness talks to his friend
on the phone at the bar.
George Michael sings
“Freedom” on the radio.
Soon, my dears,
we will all
be free, to do
what we want.