IMPROVISATION#290
READING DICKINSON

Reading Emily Dickinson
hearing a helicopter overhead
on the Amherst Common
meeting a runaway
named Stanley
near the icy riverbed
needing a stamp
by his letter head
to deliver a late Valentine card
who had been
drinking white wine
from a discarded bottle
all night
who enjoys the wilderness
and is a part time
beach comber
says he's still carded
but out of shape
trying his revealed hand
at either poker
or at a New England landscape
cooks for himself
enjoying fresh fishing
for salmon in the lake
or listening to the pop music
of Dusty Springfield
on his radio tape constantly
after his last break-up
planning to go to the Cape
after doing his laundry
which he needed
money for.