USA

jarin@csli.stanford.edu

Revisiting Paris

My old apartment.
Serge, the concierge
offers me keys and cake.
I don't unpack: line 11
to Hotel de Ville

and I cross the Seine,
flooded by rain in winter,
tour boats in June.

While weathercocks spin
on green copper roofs
children sleek past
on roller skates.

Accordion mouths move
wide and narrow
around French sounds.

Behind the Eiffel Tower
Africans sell bright robes
and bracelets from Senegal.

The Jewish Quarter's Israelis
and North Africans hurry
on this holy day to synagogue
in Nikes.

On old rue des Rosiers
the bakery has changed
to Chevignon Clothes.
Under French law historic
names remain; yellowed
letters still declare
Turenne Patisserie.

Like a child I believe
almost that I can fly
over the river and streets.

Summer's time. I drift
into Cafe l'Arrivee to drink
in and to this world half mine.

© Copyright, Jennifer Arin.
All Rights Reserved. Printed By Permission.