The City

In the city of mild extremes,
lidded from summer starlight
and sweet sonorities,
I often get the willies.

In this city, the girls feed each other sugar;
each craving has a sweet tooth,
and they stay up late hours
watching old movies, talking softly,
trying on sweaters, skirts and jewels.

In the rooms and the backrooms of bars,
I fashion the changes
and watch Tamar and Sue
turn Tommy around;
they place wool over his eyes.

In this city I recompose,
I wake Tommy up
and give him my habits: a chance
and an uncut deck of cards.
Tamar and Sue, stop your games;
let Tommy in.