"Who can be the poet?"
3. [seeking outward]
But to spill out love, played the piano with a funky jazz vibe,
giving the Muppet anthem a Haitian twist in the college union,
upstairs and downstairs, in the ballroom and in the Hunt room,
in the dorms; and in the dance rooms while a best friend tap danced
and the friend's very cute lady-friend beautifully sang a scat-
all together re-defining poetry; and alarming one or two musical theater people?
Jammed on some other instrument with townies in the local bars
or local churches? Shot the jive with either Buzzo or Pastor Dave, if not both?
Chatted with that former cocaine addict/ alcoholic biker
who rumbled at Kelly's years ago but is now worshipping Jesus
at the Inter-Faith? Ever kissed Ray on the cheek?
Attended the weekly mass or watered someone's hands at the weekly Shabbat dinner?
How about had lunch or dinner or drank in a tavern with a professor who transformed
his or her class audience into an intellectual and emotional circle of support?
Maybe hung out with a coach or a dean or another faculty member?
Hugged and played with either of their wonderful children?
Received wisdom through any of the hard-working White, Black, or Puerto Rican
janitors from nearby Perry, Mount Morris or Lakeville?
Laughed and joked with those townies at the Valley Dance School
taking an adult yoga class, or picking up their pre-school ballerinas,
or those 1st grade tap dancers in love with their exotic teacher
because he has a real life afro and (strategically) calls himself "Tree"?
The elders who hang out at Bank Street Bagel every weekday morning-
where three pastors discuss God's love and severity in light of each other;
the loud troop of grandfathers rapping about town politics and high school sports;
retired Carl who just moved from Las Vegas with his lovely wife
because she grew up in Geneseo; or Annie who 15 years ago
was a campus janitor for 25 years?
Or winked at Charity behind the caf� counter of Destiny's Door
while some pastor's wife interpreted a single mother's dream?
How about left a fine tip at the Geneseo Family Restaurant?
Dipped Buffalo wings in blue cheese at Mia's?
Drove a buddy up the strip to Dunkin Donuts at 3 am on a school night?
Made a romantic reservation at the fancy Big Tree?
Sat longer at one of the outside tables provided by either of the caf�s
or pizzerias to debate the pros and cons of NYPIRG?
Or, one afternoon, walked around the town cemetery because it was serene?