Nighthawks
(Based on the painting by Edward Hopper 1942)
They met on the corner of Greenwich and West
after a quarrel
neon lights flashed on off
from the street he follows her
but her face is turned away
and a siren blocks the melody
until the music rears up to take its place again.
They had argued in the darkening street words clashed
spilled out onto the wet empty pavement.
Music drifts their fingers touch separating
red dress red hair red temper
he looks at her again lights a cigarette
lets her whisper in his ear
waiting for the slow songs
the sad songs the remember me songs
she raises an eyebrow
the other guy in the diner gives them a look
a quick glancing look like an electric shock
and she is crazy about him again.