Doug Roy, Cat and Bird, Cut Paper
Window to the Street*
I would like the sky to shine
I would like the blue flowered sail of light
to unfurl
I would like the bouquet of light to show
her eyes
yet all day the air has been heavy
ash gray light
and cold damp wind lips longingly race to kiss stingingly
cheeks
I would like to walk the streets munching an apple
I would like to admire a few brown sparrows flitting through the elm branches
I would like to buy the woman with the long brown hair
the cup of coffee she stands in line now to buy
and plans to sit sipping
likely alone
at the window to the street gazing out
perhaps wanting an unexpected
light from above
to flower in blue
I would like I would like I would yes
I would like so many things
but the air is heavy ash
the clammy wind lips are racing and kissing my cheeks
the sidewalks are icy and slushy
I have forgotten to bring an apple
and the woman with the long brown hair has bought
her cup of coffee
already she is drinking it down
with a friend no less
she met by chance I think
talking laughing
oh the chances
in the unexpected life
and the window to the street is gazing out
at me
wondering why I am standing in the slush
being kissed by clammy wind lips
again alone
and with no apple
*Note: This poem previously appeared on Nostalgia Press’ Poet & Critic portion of their website.
_______________________
Michael Manerowski
Review by Dave Mehler
One of the most interesting things about this set by Manerowski is how all three poems are linked, not only by voice but the choices of images: the sky, qualities of light, gray color, and ash. The tone is ecstatic, and the whimsy of the syntax, diction and the almost beat quality of this combined with the choice of where to break lines carries the poems–maybe also part of this is the romantic attitude of the speaker? Even while the subject matter carries over from poem to poem they still retain distinctive qualities of casual address dealing in beauty and wonder.
I would like I would like I would yes
I would like so many things
hahahaha–somehow, in the context, it still works. While there might be some debate about this, at least I think so.