MEETING  LADY WHITMAN AT 86th STREET

sees I'm reading
Whitman
she tells me that

"Yeah that's me sure enough
I'm with the man
'I contain multitudes!'

spouts Leaves of Grass
until the train pulls in
at 86th Street

"Resit much, obey little!"
she offers
as a parting gift

the train
whisks her
far away to wherever

but now every time
I open Whitman
there she is

larger than life
if not larger
'I am large...I contain multitudes!

*

She  was a total expert and had him down pat...she was amazing. Only got a photo 'cos Jan was taking photos of the station and turned to take me just as Lady Whitman took off. It was an experience as if she were the reincarnation of Walt and his words were made flesh.