While in NYC, I realized how much we take for granted the garbage and litter
along every street, when one of the members of HSA (Haiku Society of
America) said, "Don't they have alleys in New York City?"
I also was reminded of a friend who painted an interesting series, several
years ago, based on the rise of cancer related to NYC dumping waste in
Texas.
A couple of the HSA members and I decided to check out the Bowery Poetry
scene when Alan Pizzarelli mentioned there was an all day tribute to Ted
Joans.
http://recollectionbooks.com/siml/library/JoansTed/joans.htm
http://www.millikin.edu/haiku/writerprofiles/ReedOnPizzarelli.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Twin Towers
Hey, Michel,
They are still talking
in the Bowery -
the Be Bops to Hip Hops
with a few
wop bam booms,
talkin about
injustice, violence
point and counter-point
They are still talking
in Woodstock,
confronting democracies
demons - denouncing
dominant beasts
of inhumanity
They are still
dancin, shuckin
and jivin
hoopin and hollerin
primitive drums
beating
around the Bush
They are still talking
on every corner
of the streets
in New York City
Hey, Michel did you
hear the news?
They are talking
near multiple twin towers,
near trash heaps,
piling it on and on
and trying not
to step in it.
They are still talking -
inhaling and exhaling
carbon monoxide
beneath signs that read :
fresh produce, fresh flowers
Still talking -
with enough fragrance
to extract
an aroma of hope
a slight trace
of truth
in urine town
your's and mine -
but they still think
white collar trash
is a novelty.
deborah russell, 2003
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