Rockland Lady: A Love Rap

by Thomas R. Moore

Rockland Lady: A Love Rap
after “Untitled,” painted wood sculpture
                                    by Louise Nevelson

Stack curvy handles in the box.  Insert wooden
circles near the top.  Oh wonder woman,
press that deep black spray.
You’ve gotten to me, and I know it’s
true.  Oh Russian lady with flashing eyes and
head scarf flying, picking up shapes from
sidewalk trash, now you’re
hammering tap, tap, tap — so get out of her
way as she starts to spray!  Oh feminist lady I
love your crevices and your depths. I
dream of making you mine, and
your abstract doobity doo!  My angle
fits your wooden tray in a deep deep way.
What’s a sweetheart like you doing
here anyway with circles
and dowels and wooden crates?  I love
them all and the table leg.  Oh lumber yard lady
looking for a madcap wooden
grain.  I want more!  You
are black and gray and two by four.
I’m asking you, I’m pleading that you
tell me what I’ve got to do.
Each night on my knees I
pray that we’ll get together in shades
of gray.  Oh New York lady, don’t break my
heart.  When you stand alone
in museum lights, you show
sharp shadows that are dynamite.
Oh Rockland lady, I love your ebony art.