#16

By Brendan Connolly

in the back of a cab to brooklyn jackie holds

a  scarf  over  the  lower  half  of  her  face  and

says something i cant quite hear

              her large brown eyes roll as i ask her

to repeat herself and the lights of downtown

manhattan blur beyond the window

              i  reach  over  and  shut  off  the  small

screen behind the driver/s seat

              what did you say?

              oh, it doesnt matter she says beneath

the wool, rolling her eyes again, though more

pronounced and to greater effect

              can you pull your scarf down please?

i ask, it/s hard to tell how youre feeling just

by your eyes

              she slowly reveals a slight smile in the

soft passing glow from outside and says i love

you