Spring sits on the city like a hen on a doorknob.
Birth cannot swell stone seed-leaves apart, split the macadam shell — carpeting the traffic valleys green from river to river.
Nevertheless . . . the small rain upon the unresponsive pavement is no less wonderful to walk in than the rain falling on young wheat . . . and unlocking orchards.
The ascending sun looms higher than the skyscrapers, enters the tenements . . . like an angel with bright tidings, lights the cavernous streets — humanizing the nether dwellers.
Low over the Hudson, the sunflower moon . . . pearl-luminous as the Carib moon–and technicolored as a blonde asleep under a sunlamp . . . or a nude by Renoir.
But I knew spring in you even before the thundering tongues of the sky proclaimed it and the avenue of windows styled it . . . I saw its awakening many a morning in your own long, unhurried awakening, in your slowed walk . . . and your quickened love — I could tell when near you by the subtle musk of you . . . like freshly turned earth.
Yes . . . before the roofgardens stirred and the backyards budded your mouth was red clover and your breasts were white, not of the cool nun whiteness of lily or narcissus, but milk-white warm like blossoming plum.
from the book Never a Greater Need
by Walter Benton
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This past week I came across the amazing photography of Veronica Mainetti. This image is showcased in New York City’s iconic, triangular Flatiron building’s ground floor exhibit space. I always enjoy photographing the city’s reflections and this particular image with the building reflections lured me in. Then a few days later I was at Strand Bookstore, a landmark shop specializing in old and rare books, as well as new. On the sidewalk they offer books for a dollar and of course it can be a treasure trove for mixed media/collage artists if you look hard and long enough. I found a number of unusual and worn books, including this particular one by poet Walter Benton that was published back in the 1940’s. Of course his poem about Manhattan took me right back to Mainetti’s image. I love when this happens.
