Steeplechase/Funny Face
1953 summer Coney Island ½ eaten
Nathan’s frankfurter lying in gutter ½ eaten man
slumped over curb Wonder Wheel roar of the Cyclone
Bobsled Tornado echoing Mermaid Avenue Neptune Avenue
Surf Avenue Gravesend Bay crowds sweat grease
sand skin thighs entwined under shadow of boardwalk
thin pencil lines of light stretching out was she waving?
all her life were we listening?
parachutes floating down
ladies’ dresses billowing high
Steeplechase clowns chasing them with clackers slappers
we laughed, oh how we laughed
that steaming summer
1953
