! Makeover Day

The sun's shining here, hope it is with you; the sort of day I just might put on that new tie except I don't wear ties while writing poems; how about a new poetic style, though of course, said Eeyore, no-one would notice... The choice offers itself like those two optimistic primulas in slightly corny colours out there sunning themselves after a winter bravely endured: how about a confidently laid-back, assured as of paradise gained, with appropriate underplayed humility, Bay Area style? Little left to desire, just a cool sense of life well lived and a touch of cosmic consciousness though without a brand-name? Cool in the sunshine, the net curtain gently blowing in the life of now? No, today seems more a Manhattan day for me - cool, again, but sharp as befits the centre of the world of happening: just a mere stroll from loft to Mike's Place for that special coffee, whilst jotting a slightly tangential diary of friendly intimacy with the essential references left out; a sprinking of metro stations mentioned to give it location; a sense of village local life yet lived at civilisation's edge: the Puerto Rican girl in the floral dress pausing on the sidewalk, smiling although she didn't have a pass to the gallery opening; the drunk you always exchange quotes from Bukowski with outside Julie's; the fun of meeting old friends with familiar traded insults and today's new band-box fresh opinion, the morning wit barbered, shaved, steamed, alcohol-rubbed, coffeed, cocktailed, manicured, sandwich-barred in the electric sunshine zing of nowness that is a new day in Manhattan as the sunlight creeps cautiously down the high walls; where every store window's newly dressed and poverty is invisible... yes, I think I'll wear this Manhattan tie today; it's retro but with an edge, wouldn't you say?