These Ever Just So Six Million New York Hearts and Dorothy
Girl, you have breathed the scent of New York and now,
no greens, no flowers, no daisies . . . not even the wind on
greens and flowers can hold you long.
You will not stay on prairie wastes, girl, for you have listened to
the rivers of Manhattan at nighttime: you have been quite too
near these ever just so six million New York hearts: you have
watched quite too many New York sunsets and dawns.
You'll come back, girl: quite soon these ever just so New York floors
and stones will feel your quick, sharp walk.
You cannot stay with prairie wastes and flowers, girl, for you have
breathed the scent of New York too long.
You have been quite too near these ever just so six million New York
hearts; and they will someday call you back, girl.
Robert Clairmont
