East 9th Street

It's no longer there,
a street where
dark and light converged
to exchange intensities
beneath the warm grey fringe
of street lights
and greetings,
honey,
sugar,
baby,
were breathed
through full red lips,
the window halfway down,
ensuing discussions
of money and worth,
promises to delight,
or the quality of
certain brain foods,
a guaranty to kick your
mind free of its manacles,
stolen goods,
the dark alley of commerce,
street corner stock exchange,
must move from time to time.


(Arkansas Magazine, Arkansas Democrat, December 8, 1985)