Nocturnal Backward Walking

Not easy to bump into anyone from the old days.

Summer heat in the city.

Makin’ me crazy.

I step into stores.

Things have really changed.

Old brownstones.

Some gone.

Some strictly for the rich now.

Old office buildings razed.

Steel and glass heaven-kissers in their place.

You know?

Nothin’s familiar.

I know there was a park over there.

Trees… so big, those trees.

Birds are hidin’ somewhere, I guess.

Where’s the bus used to stop on this corner?

Can’t find the greengrocers.

Barbershop’s gone.

Where’d it go?

Used to be a school in that building right over there.

Looks like it too was abandoned.

I remember Miss Wilson grading papers past the sunset.

That’s what she was known for, you know.

Maybe I’m wrong

Is this the street?

Damn!

All I can do is prowl.

Gotta be here somewhere, right?

Stay with it.

Someone is bound to come along from the past

Show you the way

Guide you to a place to sleep

Damn it! No return ticket on the train

Where did you/me/I come from earlier this night?

No…

Don’t go.