caroline

you walk down 4th avenue

crossing intersections with

such innocence - gazing at

gargantuan sidewalks

you look amused at the vexing proximity

of starbucks to other starbucks

and of the dazzling heights

of erect concrete and steel

your gait, full of blamelessness

of the chilly city air,

cuts between the melting pot

of crowds at madison park

your smile stops even the

coldest of wall street suits

who do a double take

on your figure

your decision to buy

i love ny shirts

claiming its a must buy

brings your naïveté to attention

you give away your ignorance

when you buy three-

dollar snickers bars

in the name of 'charity'

you profess your love of oreos

and of the salvation army

but hesitant to say

you love mother america

are you flitting through life

skipping across 27th street

stared down by yiddish grandmothers

and nineteen year olds                                     (?)

where do you think you are going

enrolled in f.i.t.

but dressed like

a whore with a missouri accent                        (?)

are you afraid of the

liberal backlash of your

disillusioned lesbian friends

who didn't vote at all                                                (?)

are you afraid of the

conservative backlash of your

disillusioned republican parents

who voted democrat                                                (?)

your smile fades away

and the suits leave your side

as your gaze meets mine-

you finally notice me

hello darling

its been a while

here i am,

just as much of a hypocrite as you