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.

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.

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 :

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 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 ::

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

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

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

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

the

pole

which

as he slips :

. slides smoothly by .

his strong hand grips :

grabs hOld

and

swings

him

round.

Strong BODY

dips

l w

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.

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.

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

human

ENERGY.

- aWAKE -

.i could have danced all night.

.do you wanna dance.

.under the mOOnlight?

Someone comes up.to bop beside

.peripheral.

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.

.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

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!

point at 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 :

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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnsX8UwlIEA

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