Poems by Mai-Lon
Poems by Mai-Lon
WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING TOWARD
By Mai-Lon Gittelsohn
Inspired by a poem by Denise Levertov
As if we know what we are running toward
THE DREAMER AND THE LOVER IN ME
By Mai-Lon Gittelsohn
If you knew my story
you’d know it was my sister
who fed the dreamer and the lover in me
Was it the time she sent me with a message
For the sailor waiting on the corner of California Street
And University Avenue
He was smoking a cigarette
Eyes trained on the graying horizon
Shoulders hunched against the ever-present Berkeley fog
Was it the moment he stuffed the note in his pocket
The corners of his mouth lifted in a boyish smile
his eyes so kind and blue
These days I suspect it was the hours creeping by
The minutes ticking as I watched my sister pat on eye shadow
Brush mascara on eyelashes
Her eyes opened wide for the next adventure
Her hand steady as she painted her pouting lips Firecracker Red
Then smiled into the mirror for one last look
––Mai-Lon Gittelsohn
Performances by Mai-Lon
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