I
fell
into an all.consuming love
one stop from home :
She was already there when
bing
bong
I sat : center seat across her corner.
Legs crossed : left thrown over right, foot extended in the aisle,
two.inch ridged rubber.soles
lead to black and white checkers : black laces.
JiggleJiggle
leads eye up round bony ankle :
psoriasis riddled shin :
wide battered knee.
Swish.Tap
The foot is dropped
- anchor -
and
after an adjustment,
replaced with
the right.
Eye is drawn to
the bulky black shape
beside her :
cello.
Her long tapered fingers
fiddle.fiddle with black pen :
flip.flip.flip
through the thin graphing.notebook resting.perching on wounded knee :
guide the wayward angled curtain back behind small ear.
She
vibrates
with
: CREATIVE energy :
profOUnd and twitching inspIration.
Black slouchy shirt keeps
sliding past slim shoulder :
concealing.revealing
thin black strap.
Slender neck leads to strong chin.
A peek of perfect lips past
protruding cheek.
Strong brow with thin plucked line guards the shock of piercing blue :
green.
Stunning.
Hers flicker
.meet mine.
Heart leapS. Skips a beat.
Quickly look away.
Watch her
from the side.
.
.
.
Unpainted red lips :
two round mounds curve up
from within to meet in a pointed dip beneath her button nose :
middle line curves up to puddle
at each end :
bottom lip a pouty pillow with a subtle center crease.
Smitten :
.I am she.
Embarrassed by the revelation : quick! avert the eyes.
Focus on that seat.
Peripheral.
She starts to pack her things.
Parting will be such sweet sorrow.
I dare to trace mine back to hers.
Full bOld faCed stAre :
A CHALLENGE.
She bOres in : pours in.
Shudder.
gasp.
I have to shut mine fast.
cheek.
to
Warmth spreads from neck
.down
quivering
spine :
across
.burning chest.
bing
bong
I am left
a breathless Fool.
- whirr.click -
It starts with a mUse.
TEN NOCTURNES IN B#
.and I could certainly use a release.
I.
bing
Doors close || bong! on
Bedford.Ave
and Brooklyn.
Tunnel bound :
|| a
sOUnd.
Turn & seek & find
through standing
elbows.arms.bent knees
a.Cello - & - a.Man.
BUM!BUM!
he starts to thrum :
DEEP!
: DOWn.
RattleRattleRattle squeak!
We rattle low
beneath the street.
TickaTickaTick --
|| ThrUm
.RattleRattleRattle S
c ch!
r e e
Put pencil
forcefully in fold and :
clOse
This Side of Paradise
and :
stOw in fanny pack.
.Zip!
Wait for the end of a RattleBump
Clack!
Stand :
survey :
resent the
L.train.crowd.
Want to swing from
vine
to vine
to vine
to LIVE inside his sOUnd.
Twitchy small peep!
as I hesitate to speak :
try to find some other way
to sneak from seat to :
Bump.BuhdumPah!
Beat.
I move a little step --
to the hands that grasp the rail :
I want to . get to . the
CELLO.
Hands loosen :
twitch open :
helpful :
happy to oblige.
Quickly thank the faces . that stare in . subtle . slight confusion.
Slither through the spaces made by body :
body :
.BlOCk.
TickaTickaTick
|| tock.
bOUnCe.cars jOUnCe : bulky block bump
moves aside
: there's a space that opens
w i d e.
Cinching in :
slither through :
silly affected
pHew.
Y O U ::
i.
frizzy :
straggly :
long brown hair
canopy belly and bridge.
Weathered black tank :
worn " denim shorts
fraying round the rim :
heavy leather working boots.
TailspIke long and sharp :
stAkes
his claim
in the
.rattling.
rUMbling
GrOUnD.
Tenuous :
sinewy :
fingers of strength
feel with inner confidence.
Tease and tango:
s t r i n g
to
s t r i n g
to
vibrating string
feeling for that dEEp rich
sOUnd.
Muscles ripple above
board and
waist.
biceps bulGe
with soft blue veins:
round : raised
shoulder grazes slender
neck.
Left corner
of the fingerboard
worn chalky.grey
from
effort :
left outer.rim
stripped of its
shine.
Full body lean :
legs bent at odd angles
knee pits curve to face the sky :
tippytippytip
tOe ground
in.to
rubber sole.
MAN supported by his ART :
only physics&his traction grip
hold the sOng aloft.
He slips
and trips :
bow angles :
awkward :
up.
He never loses
touch.
::
RattleRattleRattle
S
C C H
R E E
His commute is long and treacherous.
Lean back against the cool.cool rail
as I fumble.
zip
open pack for folded dollar.
then stoop to drop it into
pink.fluorescent trucker.hat.
StaNd and stAre and think :
it matters to HAVE and BE
an
AUDIENCE.
He is out here WORKing
for his ART :
completely.COMMITting
to his ART :
taking his stand.
giving it to the PEOPLE.
dEEp accenting THRUMs
music.final.flourish.is done
he collects his hat.cello.backpack.
starts to walk to the next door.
.please don't
leave me.
(gesturing.gently)
.anyone else
want to give?
anyone?
.three people deep
in conversation swing.
cluster 'round poles to block the exit.
He makes feeble
motions
toward his intention.
.hesitates.
(quietly)
Excuse me --
.too polite.
bing
bong
.he's
trapped.
.i guess
i'm staying.
.as he sets his trucker hat back on the ground.
.i guess
i'm moving.
as I swing toward
him.home.
Slow.he builds
on trembling.bow
another cello.suite.
His song flows.fills
the subway.transept's apse.
.enveloping.completing me.
inside
something.slow.coming alive
beaming from my every pore.
I nuzzle closer.
next.into his soul.
3rd Ave
bing
bong
adds two new passengers :
natural percussion to his song.
I beam and bask and glOw in
the shimmering spAce
his music mAkes.
.just one stop more.
This is
14th Street/Union Square.
Transfer is available
to the
4 5 6
NQ&R trains.
as he collects his things.
I follow close behind
feeling c r e e p y . . .
He peeks back
once
twice :
knows I'm there :
lets me hover.
.be bold.
be brave.
I tap.tap.tap
his shoulder :
marvel at the soft smooth skin :
the hearty resistance of toned muscle
Uh.
Excuse me.
That was
amazing.
You were just
completely.committed.
And that was such
a difficult commute!
That was just
amazing.
Timid nods and smiles as I talk.then -
Thank you.
I have to catch
this train
but -
Have a
beautiful
night.
=>
II.
.Free Liner.
.in the.
- Park -
Enter
from northEast
corner.
past gnarled.ancient.stump
path opens.up to square
- Garibaldi -
strikes his pose.
draws his sword
.poised.
- liminal moment -
.suddenly
(squint to see)
just a.head
floats.skims
across the horizon.
Pulled forward
hips.knees
feet plant firm
step
after
deliberate.step
until I stand at fountain's edge
spin rOUnd to watch him pass.
It is not enough to
stand
stock
still
&see.
Dazed I follow :
tugged I volley :
pulled :
I move along with.
.him.
Comfortable spectator's space
can't hide the unabashed.grin
which opens & lights my face.
my eyes.
.explore him :
lean --
lithe -
pOWerful :
BODY Bold : erect -
hands On
hips,
goes
gliding past
- hamming -
flashing dashing.sMIle
eyes that catch
.and.
hOld
.me.
.sploosh.
I swoon
- embarrassing -
knees tingle.
leaPs *
.heart
elated chuckle trips
from
lips -
under the glowing.light
of the moon :
the elegant orange hum
of
the
pole
which
as he slips :
. slides smoothly by .
his strong hand grips :
grabs hOld
and
swings
him
round.
Strong BODY
dips
l w
o
to the ground :
hinge at knees and hips.
He straightens :
kicks one wheel out in front :
.ho.
glides
controlled -
.hlee.
onelegged -
until
.step.shit.
.his right foot finds its skate.
Effortless.
He swirls :
twirls past : dips
low
as he swings round farther
pole.
Entranced.I watch his weightless dance.keep a safe.diameter.distance
his captive.I would lose all my resistance.
fearful.fated pair
in his floating.flying
waltz.
=>
III.
A familiar.fedoraed shape approaches.
black silhouetted
back.lit
.beckons.
(the pickle tub drummers in the background)
Well hey theres!
His!
.and.
.how are yous.
Awkward hug hello.
Drapes arm over shoulder.
heavy weight.encompassing.
Ready?
Let's.
Go!
boots.and.cats.and.boots.and.cats.
Wide stride :
long stride :
loping gait
pulls one ahead
: leaves one behind.
ShuffleShuffleShuffle
Wait!
Shorter limbs : scuff and scuttle
catch up
- STOP -
at corner curb.
Oy! Man,geez.
What's the big rush?
as taxis breeze on by.
I just want to dance man.
WiggleWiggleWiggle
.patience is a virtue.
yes I know
we shouldn't
gamble
but
I see a hole
in traffic - -
come ON!
Let's pOWer
through.
boots.and.cats.and.boots.and.cats. and.boots.and.cats.and.boots.and.
cats.and.boots.and.cats.
and
Walk through lamp.lit streets. maintain a quickened pace.
left here.
right there.
That's it!
.points at a roped.guarded entrance.
The approach:in full view of the man, he takes out a mini Maker's Mark.
(harrumph)
Come on.
You can't
have that.
open.warm.wide sMIle.
happy.laughing face.
.the jovial foreigner.
Come on.
I'll just drink it
right here.
(begrudging sigh)
Fine.
You better finish
that outside.
(gesturing)
You gonna
help me?
(bristling empathy)
Fine.
.making me
a part of it.
I take two tiny burning sips.
(tongue extends)
.gAh.
(lips purse.nostrils flare)
.oofA.
(head shakes)
Okay -
let's do this.
The pair approach the bouncer.
(bored voice)
ID?
The unnecessary guilty.rush as I.quick
.flick -
hand it over.
(quizzical)
Okay.
Tickets at the ready.
approach the second sentry.
(holding clipboard.chipper)
Tickets?
(hand them over)
Red line
- swipe -
scan
*beep*
.valid.
.phew.
Through dark door.
little.sticker.littered entry.
down dark.broad stairs to
thumping sOUnd contained
by heavy metal doors.
Above the staircase
.a white and red sign.irony :
NO DANCING
=>
IV.
Wet your
pinky -
.right quick.
- then -
DipDip.Lick
wash it down with foam.shlurrp.beer.
bUMp.
bUMp.
bUMp.
BEAT
.what.have.we.here?
Start to move.
get in the groove.
work up a sweat
and.then
STOP
-
-
-
.drop.
Oofa.
ooTAH!
Skirt's too hot.
BoogieWoogie Jiggle Shake.
jigglejiggle try to make
long skirt to shorts :
lift up and tuck :
don't stop beebop :
Now :
h o l d O n :
S l o w .
- STOP -
BoomdahBoom daDiggadiggaBOOM.Tick!
Quick : knot the front
and wigglewiggle back to the
BoogieDABeat.
Beat.
Beat.
Flappy : Flaily
FlubDEEub.
Wave.a flapping :
flailing :
flaccid.stuB.
Holy tits, Batman!
It's.a dAnce eRection -
unfortunAtely sTaying soft for yousir and "sir and "sir : who
hover hover :
hover
: suave : very
subtle.
Fellas -
meet me in nocturne six ::
Beat.Beat.Beat.
TickaTickaTicka.
||BwOw.bDicKAH.BwOw. BwOw. bDicKAH.BwOw.
Drop it l w o
to the floor.
Body wriggle back to stand :
pulsing rhythm to each hand :
lobes and shoulders bop to meet. WiggleWiggleWiggle :
all my fingers catch the jiggle :
it's a rocking.body
rocking to the
body.rocking beat.
Huffypuffy huff : quickly.quickly has enough of the wAcky.
wAving.
smacking limbs that go a w h o o s h i n g past her face : bumperbuddy butt bOUnCe BumPs agAinst.rOUnD--
ass.
She bobs and bends : bOUnCe bumping back.
But.A
bOUnCinG butt's.not something.thaT I lack.
BwOw.BaDigga.BwOw.
||aDigga.
butt. .butt.
We swivel and swerve : bop to
Sexy grinding contact :
go ruBruBruB.
Gay chicken : hey! I win again.
.ladies.
meet me in nocturne seven ::
bWOUnCe.bDicKa.bOUnCe.
- suDdeNly -
the WAY is clear
.i hit another level.
spaced club scene from 1:34 to 3:31
i'd like to be
under the sea
as weeds.waving
'long the sand.
moving in the current
of the song
a single solid mass
of flowing limbs
until 0:53 - matrix dance scene
the
heIght
of
human
ENERGY.
- aWAKE -
.i could have danced all night.
=>
V.
.do you wanna dance.
.under the mOOnlight?
Someone comes up.to bop beside
.peripheral.
register
shades of a man
happy soft.warm.brown
.home.
- safe -
beautiful
beside he keeps up
bop to bop.
considers moment longer.
rests hand.gently.on right shoulder.
soft spoken in my ear :
You have such
amazing energy.
I love the way you
move your body.
May I dance with you?
(defense.reflex)
I'm sorry
I came here
to dance
and I haven't
figured out how to
with other people.
(honest - quick - regret)
That's okay.
(cocks head.respect)
You're good at it.
(rest hand on upper arm)
Thanks.
(smiles.recedes into the faces)
Boogie.woogie awhile longer
hope he's back there.
.somewhere.seeing.
(look behind)
He's gone
- lost -
to the dark.dancing chaos.
.i wish i could find you again.
=>
VI.
::
Hey.
We need to talk.
I see what you're doing over there, guy.
Hi.
Yes.
I know :
you
bop.it low
to show
the only space that I may take
in the dance craze
of the naughties.
O
.thanks.
He points two guns
- helpful directives -
in case the invitation was unclear.
And to our right returns Popped Polo boy whose thick.slicked hair gleams with the dancing beams that stream from disco ball :
resumes his post :
.makes a better door than a window.
restricts my flailing arm.
.swing.
space.
Slap.swinging arm against broad
back.
elicits his response.
Profile forms above raised shoulder :
a smirk plays in his eye.
My gaze goes down : I shake my head : will not engage this
preening.prick.
I glance behind :
for goodness sake.
Blushing Spectacled.Beanpole
grinds the air inches away.
I consider him a moment
- pathetic puppy -
let him linger.
Popped.Polo
bored&defeated.deserts
his post :
the tide brings in another.
Tries to catch my eye :
bopping shoulder bop :
(embarrassed to be doing this)
points
my way
then jerks thumbs into chest :
WiggleWiggle go the brows.
.O brother.
Another comes alongside me to smirk : shake his shaggy head.
He apes me.
bopping low.
swinging arms.
swiveling hips.
.oy vey.
.how else
can I
make you
move?
so I wave my lanky.floppy arms -
high up in the air :
.peripheral.
I see long buttoned limbs loosely fly above tall head swing.a. swing.a. back to hang -
awkward :
heavy.
=>
VII.
O, that you were yourself!
but, love, you are no longer yours.a woman's face with
Nature's own hand painted
garishly.perverted
purples and blues
knock.out - punch - smoky lid
beneath this hardened armor
* BEAUTY *
hid.
If hairs be wires,
black wires grow on her head.
smelling - slightly - dead
years&years compressed in heat
flattened.scorched
each flowing sheet.
And in some perfumes
there is delight.
but that which
douses HER this night
supremely reeks.
Sisters.
you surround me.
fill up my senses
- nauseously -
eye me
...cautiously.
misunderstand my motion
.read me as a threat.
- ATTACK -
This one tells her gaggle -
she likes
to hit
people.
then deliberately smooshes her butt into my booty.bumping.space.
(angry.now)
HEY!
as - oop - her drink gets spilt.
.there's no drinking on dance.floors.
Another in the danger zone
gets slapped
one too many times
pivots
- at last -
on black.stiletto heel
all ready to be mad.
I just smile wide.continue to.dance wAving
swiVeling
wiGgling.
.joyful.joyful.
- girl -
I implore thee.
Harrumph she slumps around
- commence -
regrOUnds
bodacious butt
into its waiting plug.
Smile and smirk :
You don't know
how to move.
I turn away.lost in the groove wigglewiggle.
wAve my limbs :
graze gently up plug's spine.
He leans down into ear :
tells of my offense :
are you gonna
fight her?
Ho.ly shit.
Shit just got real.
I smile ever wider :
ignore her combative stance.
I sense her watch my dance
. reconsider .
. move to join --
an idea is sparked!
She bops down low :
swings wild arms
- mocking -
.the most sincere form
of flattery.
Her tease is having no effect : she must look ridiculous.
Her hesitation heralds a homecoming :
grindgrindgrind
her arms come up around
to comb through tall boy's hair.
.there.
::
.lAdies.
Simply thiS :
Remove head
from sphincter.
.then dance.
=>
VIII.
- PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN -
She asks for molly
for the both of them.
knows who to ask.
accented warmth melds well
with other warmth.
they dance alongside just a while.
allow the tide to take them.
back&forth.
to&fro.
heaving.
swelling
--
.where'd she go?
BODY BODY
.part.
She's framed.
.a work of art.
leans in close&comforting
to the bleary eyed babe
who sits slumped
head hung heavy
desperately.drunken.
She drapes a gentle arm rOUnd downward sloping shoulders
pat
pat
pats
a wilting back.
There.there.
Here's some
water -
offers over plastic.bottle.
He fumbles.grips.
brings to pursed lips.
.sip.
.sip.
.sips.
- gulp -
.ahh.
passes back to this madonna.
.hiccup!
- bURp -
There.now
isn't that
better?
she smiles.
His smile is wetter.
but his back bends
a bit straighter
.the pose.
.piéta of EQUALITY.
=>
IX.
TwosTepTwosTep. Do the TwosTep.
||nOW the shoulder jiggle :
uP uP uPdeeUpPah!
: go down down
||And swinG. nA. nA.
.digga.diggA.OH nee
batta.batta.batta.boots.and.cats.
.ah.
.digga.digga.
Pew!
Pew!
Pew!
point at you
you
you
then ignore as I wiggle.wiggle
make you want me more.but
.NO.
That.is not the poinT.you.see.
If you just
let
gO :
: this music can get.into your skin
: beat your heart so full
.to burst against your ribs
: build you up to
a delicious bumping heIght
: plunge you
dOWn
into the bAss
risIng from the thUMping floor.
BumpBumpBump.Tick! BumpBumpBump.Tick!
Our parents ROCKed.
BumpBumpBadumPah.Tick!
We r o l l.
TickaTickaTicka.
||BwOw.bDicKAH.BwOw. BwOw. bDicKAH.BwOw.
We've got to shake the dust
that's been collecting in our bones.
aDigga.Digga.
- beat -
Hi.
I turn to see fedoraed.friend beside.
Are you getting
tired?
Wanna leave soon?
(consider.consult the TIME)
4:00AM
(nod.confirm)
Sure.
Wanna come back
for a smoke?
.hospitality.
Yea sure!
Let's go!
We turn to find a tangled mass.
a living.breathing labyrinth.
(commence the calculated wiggling)
move.slow.from opening to opening.
Last person that I see : in kakhis and black tee : bumps booty out and low : now
see :
beatbeat
||he bops
to the rhythm of the bAss
as his arms swing round :
mini windmills in his face.
beatbeat
||Heart leaps :
brings a blush :
a hopeful grin.
Is that a friendly lurker that let me in?
Cold
gush
whoosh
as we POP! out from the crowd.
waits.
air :
||The night :
=>
X.
As we enter through apartment door
.shit.
.the gender gap.
prepare my sexless.defense.
he makes himself comfortable
- slumps -
onto my bed.
Let's go up
to the roof.
(nighttime shot of manhattan)
- REEFER ON THE ROOF -
puff.puff
- pass -
puff.puff
- pass -
Loosened tongue
releases much
.mindless chatter.
hearty dump.
.puff.puff.
- pass -
.shit.
.i've said too much.
.puff.puff.
.reel it in.
.listen to these streets.
- pass -
.puff.puff.
The birds around start waking up.
heralding the dawn.
.no one told the birds
it was still night.
(scoff)
It's still dark.
What are they
chirping about?
- NATURE knows BEST -
Beyond.above.the sun begins to rise over the clock tower.
lighting.slow.block by block
the horizon.cemetery.
(white out&then)