East Village Tales

by Elinor Nauen

How’d you get thrown
out of so many laundromats ? she asked
as though that were an accomplishment

they think
I’m not serious
because I’m not in debt

here in the nabe we live
the lives we choose
that’s why we live here

I was the meanest girl in Sioux Falls & I’m the nicest girl in
New York
which is only
the difference between my two hometowns

men think friendliness = desire
men think not saying anything is the same as telling you
something
men think not telling you anything is the same as saying
something

he’s a happy
man
but I can make him happier

New York Is Missing
But I’m
here.