‘The Cherry Blooms in Central Park’ and Other Poetry by Peter Agnos

The Cherry Blooms in Central Park

In Central Park the cherries now
Are hung with blooms along the slough,
And stand around the reservoir,
Pink and white Spring avatars.

Now of my three-score years and ten
I’ve outlived many better men;
I’m over-the average hill by five….
I wonder why I’m still alive.

To gaze at cherry trees in bloom
One hundred years seems little room–
Maybe one will whisper in my ear
The meaning of the changing year.

The Brown Dog Tried to Cross Sixth Street

The brown dog tried to cross Sixth Street
on his little padded feet;
A Ford hit him!  Squashed him flat_____.
So for that dog: that was that.

He’ll never cross Sixth Street again.
He’ll cross no streets at all.
He’ll gnaw no more on chicken bones
nor pee against the wall.
BOW-WOW, BOW-WOW, BOW-WOW, WOW, WOW(2x)

He’ll no more on a lamb-chop chew,
Nor trip the mailman’s feet.
Nor drool on the New York Review,
Nor squat on Seventh Street.

He’ll swim no more off Coney Isle,
Nor jog in Central Park,
Nor scan the crowd for a wayward smile
Nor at policemen bark.
BOW-WOW, BOW-WOW, BOW-WOW, WOW, WOW(2x)

He’ll never wag his tail again;
He’s finished with life’s farce.
He’ll no more shake his grungy mane,
Nor lick a puppy’s arse.

The brown dog tried to cross Sixth Street
on his little padded feet;
A Ford hit him!  Squashed him flat_____.
So for that dog: that was that.
BOW-WOW, BOW-WOW, BOW-WOW, WOW, WOW(4x)