Aesthetic Realism Looks at New York City: Poetry

Robert Clairmont

These Ever Just So Six Million New York Hearts and Dorothy

Girl, you have breathed the scent of New York and now, no greens, no        flowers, no daisies . . . not even the wind on greens and flowers        can hold you long. You will not stay on prairie wastes, girl, for you have listened to        the rivers of Manhattan at nighttime: you have been quite too near        these ever just so six million New York hearts: you have        watched quite too many New York sunsets and dawns. You'll come back, girl: quite soon these ever just so New York floors        and stones will feel your quick, sharp walk. You cannot stay with prairie wastes and flowers, girl, for you have        breathed the scent of New York too long. You have been quite too near these ever just so six million New York        hearts; and they will someday call you back, girl.

From Quintillions (NY: American Sunbeam Publisher, 2005)

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