August 6, 2021 by Jordan Myers
Almost eleven and the neighbor’s air-conditioner rumbles and turns on again -––– the still and extended hum commences. It’s humid and quiet here. Last night the aisles of CVS were filled with people who looked as though they were visiting the city for the first time in a long time, maybe ever. A lot of standing around and talking to each other, holding a few knick-knack items in their hands and arms and asking questions and setting plans. How do you make the most out of three or five days on this island?
August 4, 2021 by Jordan Myers
Almost designer purses and handbags and clutches for sale on the corner of West 49th Street and Broadway. You have to look down at the ground in order to browse the selections, or you have to bend over, or you have to kneel over to look closely. Regardless, the second hand almost designer market is back!
August 2, 2021 - Decaf espresso by Jordan Myers
Patron: Do you have decaf espresso?
Barista: Yes.
Patron: Is the cappuccino served with two shots or one shot?
Barista: We can serve it with one or two ––– or even three.
Patron: What would you recommend?
Barista: I usually get two shots, but I never get decaf espresso.
Patron: That makes sense.
Barista: It might make sense, but is it helpful?
Patron: Yes. I find it helpful.
Barista: Do you know what you’d like then?
Patron: Yes. I know that I’d like a cappuccino.
Barista: Right. But with one shot or two shots?
Patron: –––– a decaf espresso.
Barista: Right. But with one shot or two shots?
Patron: What I want is a decaf espresso with . . .
[Barista looks past Patron, where a line forms and
expands.]Barista: If you don’t know what you want then –––
Patron: ––– Oh, I know what I want.
Barista: I’m just saying, it seems like you’re not so sure.
Patron: I can understand why you’d think that.
Barista: That’s good to know.
Patron: How much is the cappuccino, by the way?
Barista: $4.27.
Patron: And that’s the same, regardless of the number of shots?
Barista: Yes.
Patron: And that’s the same, even if they’re decaf espresso shots?
Barista: Yes.
Patron: I’ll actually take a cappuccino then, but rather than decaf espresso . . .
[Another glance at the line ––– out the door].
Barista: . . .
Patron: You know what, how about a green tea?
Barista: With how many shots of espresso?
Patron: No espresso.
Barista: Just the green tea then?
Patron: Yes. Just the green tea. Cancel the espresso.
Barista: You don’t have to cancel the espresso.
Patron: Because I never ordered it, exactly; thank you.
Barista: Did you want anything else?
Patron: Let’s actually do this . . . go ahead and make the green tea.
Barista: Okay . . .
Patron: And if there’s something else that I want ––– between now
and when the green tea is ready; maybe I could come back to you?Barista: You could always come back.
Patron: No. But I mean -–– right away, I would come back right away.
Barista: I know!
Patron: You know?
Barista: Yes! I know what you’re saying. Can you please also understand
that there is a line forming behind you –––[Patron looks back and observed the line ––– waves].
Patron: Yes. I am aware.
Barista: The green tea is $3.37.
Patron: And you accept credit; is there a minimum.
Barista: No.
Patron: No you don’t accept credit?
Barista: No; we do accept credit. And no, there is not a minimum.
[Patron takes out a debit card, pays].
Patron: Thank you.
Barista: You’re welcome.
Patron: No, you’re very welcome.
[Patron walks away. The person standing behind Patron
approaches the counter].Patron #2: I was wondering, do you have decaffeinated green tea?
August 1, 2021 - I don’t know if you’ve ever traversed the streets of south Brooklyn / late at night while weeping all alone, unsober and lost by Jordan Myers
I don’t know if you’ve ever traversed the streets of south Brooklyn
late at night while weeping all alone, unsober and lost. North Brooklyn
feels one hundred thousand miles away and sunrise is a different lifetime
July 30, 2021 by Jordan Myers
The next evening
with a lightness
fate one-way across the Atlantic
July 28, 2021 - July he leans against the north tree, facing south by Jordan Myers
July he leans against the north tree, facing south . . .
his watch ticks ten minutes fast, reading thirty pages
with the evening stepping towards him / she walks past
the edge of the late summer park –– dusk & earl grey tea
July 26, 2021 by Jordan Myers
Sleeping with the sound of the rain
against the windows of your house /
the autumn air, cooling into winter
July 25, 2021 by Jordan Myers
The tempo of New York is again and again. Its rhythm
is the exact middle point between staccato and legato.
All the next episodes start playing before the last one
has ended. Think eight million soundtracks, each one
a collector’s edition, filled with b-sides and live sessions.
New York open mics are all the way open. People line up
to wait in line / for a line of people / who are waiting
to get into line. There’s always another sequel to the sequel,
which itself is a sequel. You can watch live versions for free
at Lafayette & Spring; reruns are weeknights, 8pm to 10pm,
Elizabeth & Broome. An endless supply of source material.
July 23, 2021 - Manhattan Avenue silence by Jordan Myers
Manhattan Avenue silence
the city, the river, the night
July 21, 2021 - A few moments past four in the afternoon / by Jordan Myers
A few moments past four in the afternoon,
I was standing on the northwest corner
of Ninth Avenue & West Fifty-fourth Street.
I looked into the window of a wine bar, vacant
& long closed: glass & silence / distance & light.
