SHOES, RICKY HUI AND CHOCO PIES

On the street of errands
a pair of my wife's old shoes
are salvaged by the grandfather
who nails on new heels in minutes,
showing off the skill he's brought
to perfection for over fifty years.
I go into a store and purchase
a memorial video of Ricky Hui,
the comedian whose huge, sad eyes
made you laugh that much harder.
I also buy a bag of my beloved
Choco pies and exit to see my wife
triumphantly holding the shoes
above her head, her body bathed
in the pungent sparkle of Sunset Park.
I could watch her for hours, stand
on that street and slow as dream light
revel in our youth and indestructibility
and the borough poised today between
our bedazzlement and wonder.

                           Tim Suermondt