The Forcing

In the night, in Central Park west,
A young woman fights to keep her
Purse, her freedom, her virginity,
And her identity. Before the moon
Rises she has lost all four
In Central Park west, in the night.

In the light of day, in the alley
Behind Dixon's Pharmacy
A young doctor feeds a monkey.
The monkey has strong arms and
Will not let go of his neck, not even
In the alley, in the light of day.

In a warm spring breeze, in a grove of trees,
A dead leaf surrenders to new life.
The brittle brown page has held on
Through storms and droughts for months.
Only the spark of green can ignite the leaf, unwelcome
In a grove of trees, in a warm spring breeze.

1989