The break-up with a true beauty

Claudette Beaulieu,

There's a river between us.

Construction of the four lane

Thru-truss bridge is at its shovel-ready beginnings
And the narrow, iron-grated traverse
Of the old Slade's Ferry Bridge is treacherous.

When crossed from the east

It takes me westward over the expanse of the river
Toward "Magoni’s Family Restaurant"

And the crazy "Somerset Bowl-A-Way".

Sure, I can cross its eerie erector-set construction,

Take a right at County then a left on Westhill,

Go straight for three blocks then hook a right at Middle

And another left on Longhill to get to you, and

I’m willing to do all of that and you’re certainly worth the effort,

But it's late in the day,–– the Sun will soon

Set below the roofline of your house where once

We counted twenty three pigeons squatting in a row, but

That was then and this is now, and I'll be on my bike

And don't you see–– there's a river between us.

1957? / 1958