We were here before you were born.

 

Fewer cobwebs. Someone dusted.

Sawdust on the floor.

Pot- bellied stove for cold winter nights.

Memorabilia, pictures, flags,

A Who’s Who and What’s What of Manhattan.

 

Where Abe Lincoln held Bible Study

And I first felt old when I didn’t get carded on my birthday.

We talked to the couple from D.C. who owned a restaurant,

And the first responder firemen.

The young couple from Brazil who loved American football and hated socialism.

The older couple who came into the City on Sundays.

The English teacher from Manhattan College,

Who we wanted to fix up with our son.

 

We heard a bagpipe concert in the afternoon.

Watched the Mets win Game 6 of the World Series.

2 Lights and 2 Darks…Again….Again….Again…

….Prompted singing  Puttin’ On the Ritz in the Port Authority Bus Terminal,

Homeless audience parting like the Red Sea.

 

The best lamb sandwich I ever ate.

Crispy saltines, a plateful of cheddar and onions.

Mustard that will knock your socks off and make your nose run.

Friends meet. Strangers become friends.

2 Lights and 2 Darks…Again…Again…Again…

 

 

By Sue Storts

08/13/2016