The Louse Acts (Plays His Part)
I was at the Street Bar that night
“Bar” too plebian a word for this establishment
Cocktail Lounge? Too Perry Mason
Certainly not a saloon or a tavern or a pub
Technically a hotel bar, but it doesn’t have the anonymous charm
this place really feels like a haven, a sanctuary
a very posh place to rest and refresh, walls lined with books
cozy armchairs and the big glass window overlooking the Garden
I was there, with the head
of the Flower Guild
who said Look! When H&H rode past just when they had asked for help
they felt it
but didn’t know what to do
so I, I,
Mr. FabuLouse, OPE,
(Observer Par Excellence) was suddenly called
overwhelmed with adrenaline I knew this ONCE
I must ACT I must break all my own codes and DO something
I shiver to recall it
But I was right there by his ear and I can speak when the need is urgent
I spoke and he heard it as his own thought
I told him the horse’s name Hodegetria
I told him the girls were headed to New York
For a pilgrimage to the park, for spring, for May Day
M’aidez! M’aidez! M’aidez!
Oooh—he squealed in a gay way—a medieval Marian procession? Like, a parade? Take the Lady to the streets with all the ritual we can remember!
The idea struck their fancy and they ordered another wallet-cleansing round and began
their strategy meeting—calling up their Manhattan counterparts
at Heavenly Rest and Smoky Mary’s
this
was something they could do
a glorious defiance
a lot of labor
the stars would have to align
hidden knowledge rising
and me? I was breathless with the exertion
thrilled with my own daring
suddenly dizzy with all the soft sounds
of patrons murmuring, clinking glasses
cars going by in the avenue