Daylight sinks
I stand at tall windows
about to draw the curtains.
A last glimpse to the high rise across the street
where a woman holds a baby and
two windows above
another baby bounces in a man’s arms.
Earlier, late afternoon
along the Hudson piers
raw wind
for once not unpleasant
(practice or penance)
testing stamina in rough times
that I’m alive this way.
Drawing the curtain across the window
I pull too hard and the last clip detaches
leaves fabric dangling, lopsided.
“Not everything at once.”
A note pinned above my desk.
How I explain myself to myself
an ever changing dialogue, inner monologue.
Hours later the street is silent.
From time to time the lopsided curtain calls my attention.
Reminds me what I don’t want to think about.
How I’m really feeling.
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Read more of Steve Clorfeine here on Lightwood. Go to our Search Page and insert his name.
Steve Clorfeine is one of the founding arts faculty at Naropa University in Colorado. As faculty at SUNY New Paltz he later directed the Experimental Studies Department His performance work has been commissioned by many venues in NY State. A member of Meredith Monk’s company, performing throughout Europe and the U.S.
Steve began teaching theater in Nepal and India in 2003 and subsequently received two Cultural Envoy grants from the State Department for extended performance work. Steve currently teaches semi-annually in Europe.
His non-fiction book on Nepal was published by Station Hill Press and 3 of his 5 poetry collections were published by Codhill Hill Press (2007-14). His ongoing writing workshop meets twice/month, now on Zoom.
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