Selections from "New Orleans Shorts"

MASKS AND MAKE-BELIEVE

You seldom see
the gray light of winter
here, except reflected
in someone's eyes.

Take that hustler there,
painted in disco blue.
He spent his youth,
and now has nothing left.

SUNSET LIMITED

The train is late.
A bright-eyed boy
plays with a ball.

You can tell he will
be handsome one day.

Above his head,
in the chalky mural,
cards are being dealt.

STREETCAR CELLPHONE

Girl, I be der quick as I can.
He makin' every stop.
Dis shit's slow.