Fifth Ave

Sitting here in the doorway
of an empty building on Fifth Avenue
between sixth and seventh street
reading a book
by some other *******.
At least he wasn't pretentious;
I can handle *******s.
People will show up,
maybee in an hour, maybee two.
A church bell rings
and echoes down seventh street
like before a duel in some old western.
I smoke a cigarette and wonder
when these people will show up.
People don't have duels anymore.
Not here.
No, here they breed cowards
who kill ice cream men
for fifty dollars in change
and talk behind each others backs.
If they're supposed to be a gang,
then why do I always see them walking alone-
And when will these people show up?
...And then one does, with her daughter,
and starts a friendly conversation with me
right off the bat.
Her openness startles me...
And intrigues me,
but mostly startles me.
More people...
Crap.
Why do I feel so awkward around these people?
These people whom I was sitting outside waiting for?
The church bell rings again...
It was only an hour.
The meeting is starting.
People talk and laugh and exchange wisdom
and the bell rings again.
Another hour.
I'm glad I wore sandals today.

I wish I had some sort of intuition as to what the persona was waiting for? The bell suggests something like a church gathering, but the reference to sandals threw me right off.

On the other hand you manage this stream-of-consciousness technique very well.

The way you presented circumstances is amazing. Indeed a marvelous composition. I envy you.

Ahh, thank you both for the feedback. An to Blazeofglory, I am the last one you should choose to envy. The fact is that you, my friend, should envy no one. Really getting a compliment from either one of you makes me blush, as you are two of the best writers I have read. Not only on this forum, but anywhere. You will both be in print before I become an old man. and to Prince- Sure, I could tell you what the "persona" (I) was waiting for, and I could also tell you the significance of the sandals, but wouldn't that ruin it for you? Peace- Chris