Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Dear Diary:
I was on the bus when I learned
of the loss of the boss of the city on
the day I arrived-
Making our way down Fifth Avenue-
Our Avenue-
from the snowy world of Vermont
The Guggenheim rose, appeared and disappeared
and a sign for the bridge Your bridge passed
I, not quite awake with the news, began feeling the sidewalk
Energy of the city
that you presided over like the Mayor
you were the Mayor
My good neighbor, like a gangly eagle
Two flights above
The elevator encounters
always brought out your wry smile
and gentlemanliness
A former president will speak
at your funeralon
the day I leave the city
that you presided over like the Mayor
you were the Mayor
My neighbor
in a rent-controlled apartment
Grow old, as old as I thought you’d be
Don’t stop now, go on-
call another neighbor “a wackoâ€
Bella Abzug in her hats
let Larry Kramer hate you forever
and pull his dog away from your petting hand
In our building where
the Minetta Brook flows through and bubbles up
In our lobby
On about upon
the Park that Kertesz walked
and photographed from his window
Our view that was changed by the Twin Towers
not there, there, and not there again
in this city that you presided over like the Mayor
you were the Mayor
Hizzoner
Sometimes the long black cars came
and drove away with you
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