Idle voices

          and lowly talks

                       in whispering tones     

                                              and wider walks

left me

          b

             l

               e

                 e

                   d

                     i

                      n

                         g

                            on the sidewalk

a step away

                from blue and grey

                                              as the rain poured down

onto my agony

 

I flipped my collar

                  and pulled down on the rim

                                                            of my hat and saw

my face

               staring back at me

                                              in the window

                                                                       and wondered about the ghost 

                        I had seen

                                        a street car is moving

as opera is soothing

                      somewhere below fifth avenue

 

I heard you

                          when I left

                                                 and if you can settle  

for the sound

                     of I'm sorry

                                         I can step out of the rain

into your arms

                            wrapped

                                               in a silky white robe

away from all those

                                      s-h-u-f-f-l-i-n-g souls

b

  l

    e

      e

        d

          i

           n

              g

                         on the sidewalk