Autumn Day in New York

By Christopher Stoddard
Inspired by Rilke’s “Autumn Day”

Universe: We’re ready. The last season’s ended.
Now replace the heat with hielo,
and on the sidewalk let the roaches freeze.

But first,

give the grass in parks power
over these final sun-days,
force it to thrive and multiply;
encourage it toward its fate, and stain
our white clothes with its vibrant greenness.

New Yorkers who rent now, will never own.
New Yorkers who are single, will be forever,
will work, read, shop compulsively everyday,
and hop around Brooklyn’s bars, sober then not,
hopefully, while the weather is disappointing.