Balladz by Sharon Olds

Author:Sharon Olds [Olds, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2022-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

Subway Ballad

Off the bus, Times Square, downpour—

heat wave—no taxi—rush hour—

suitcase—backpack—

massive briefcase—

bookbag, and the purse Billy calls

my bowling-bag carrier.

Bouncing the double-decker wheelie down

the first long flight—a young man

asked if I needed help, and easily

lifted and carried both vehicles.

Then a staircase up,

and a young man said,

“May I?” and at the top I said,

“You are my angel,”

and he looked—into my eyes

and smiled.

Another flight, another young man,

and the last stairs, a young woman.

It is what I do—be done by

by kindness.

at rush hour—huge luggage

fore and aft—I apologized a lot—

we’re all so sick of old white women

bragging about their helplessness.

Off at Bleecker—up elevator—

rain and urine—on its floor.

Home of privilege: faculty fortress.

At the desk, Concierge.

Up 17 floors—long view

of Lower Manhattan. My song: I want, I want

to thank you. Ask me

for anything. I hope I recognize you, fellow citizen.

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