PARIS METRO HAIKU
by Ethan Gilsdorf

I. Exiting the train
a shock, brown painted eyebrows,
makeup overkill.

II. People too eager.
Step on my body, go ahead.
Escalator blues.

III. Through a dull tunnel
of people, accordion
lifts, inspires a Monday.

IV. Tight pants seated, filled
full: it’s about marketing,
packaging the ass.

V. Finches shift along
the platform, proving you exist.
Isn’t this enough?

VI. He reads the Bach score
like a novel, hushed notes
and staves his forest.

VII. The escalator,
waterfall frozen mid-step.
Out of order -- ha!

VIII. Fools? Not this drenched herd
commuting, wretched yet safe
from trying the door.

Editor's Note: Ethan Gilsdorf is managing editor of Frank (http://www.readfrank.com), a film and restaurant critic for Time Out’s Paris office, and a regular contributor to Poet and Writers, Literary Review of Canada, and Paris Notes. One of the prime organizers of the upcoming World Poetry day, March 21, 2003, soon you will be able to sign up with Ethan for open mic readings. with special poetry workshops, speakers, discussions and readings the days before and the days after, led by published poet, Cecilia Woloch. To learn more about the upcoming event or to be put on a special mailing list for the Paris Poetry Workshop, send an e-mail to
Info@AdrianLeeds.com