Coney Island, NY

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

Bernard Block