I went out walking
in the old neighborhood
Look! more trees on the block
forget-me-nots all around them
ivylantana shining
and geraniums in the window
Twenty years ago
it was believed that the roots of trees
would insert themselves into gas lines
then fallpoisonedon houses and children
or tap the city’ s water pipesstarved
for nitrogenobstruct the sewers
In those days in the afternoon I floated
by ferry to Hoboken or Staten Island
then pushed the babies in their carriages
along the river wallobserving Manhattan
See Manhattan I criedNew York!
even at sunset it doesn’ t shine
but stands in firecharcoal to the waist
But this Sunday afternoon on Mother’ s Day
I walked westand came to Hudson Streettricolored flags
were flying over old oak furniture for sale
brass bedsteadscopper pots and vases
by the pound from India
Suddenly before my eyestwenty-two transvestites
in joyous parade stuffed pillows under
their lovely gowns
and entered a restaurant
under a sign which saidAll Pregnant Mothers Free
I watched them place napkins over their bellies
and accept coffee and zabaglione
I am especially open to sadness and hilarity
since my father died as a child
one week ago in this his ninetieth year