Brooklyn, 1995

By M.J. Tenerelli

I have a new baby and we live on the top floor

Of a brownstone on Henry Street.

To pass this frigid winter

We waltz on the brown carpet;

Flash past ice blossom windows

And clothes drying over the banister.

Beautiful boy with a newborn’s blue jewel eyes,

We swing between Sinatra and Rickie Lee,

Around and around the dining room.

It’s you and me and the snow

With roach traps; a rabbit quilt

And the husband daddy drunk

In another borough. Oh baby boy

I am waltzing us into something better

Though I’d swear right now

We were dancing in circles.