New York vignette, October 1976

I was visiting
           on Staten Island
when Gambino died
           as he watched
the New York Yankees
           his game finally up

Lorraine
           an Italian-American teacher
had a day off school
           to mark his passing

We took the ferry
           past Liberty Island
Stood on deck
           in the bitterly cold wind
Drifted silently
           into Lower Manhattan

Will you stay ?
           she asked
Forever ?
           I replied

John Lyons