……OUSTED LAUREATE
ON THE NEWARK-to-BOSTON
The shock of recognition, triggered by
an old man coughing, rattled the Acela
quiet car. He had no alibi
and read the Times review of Cinderella
Rice’s memoir and a book of verse.
I didn’t want to interrupt or bother
him, provoke an incident, or, worse,
discover I’d confused him with another
brother wearing academic cords,
a knotted scarf, Italian slipper shoes
and glasses. Nor would I risk crossing swords
by bringing up that line about the Jews.
So, I waited ’til we reached the Promised Land.
I introduced myself and shook his hand.
October 13, 2010
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Acela is the express train run by Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor from Washington, DC, to Boston.
Waiting for Cassowary 