---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Spartacus” Down in the Dirt, v178 (the December 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Late Frost the Down in the Dirt Sept.-Dec. 2020 issues collection book		get the 420 page Sept.-Dec. 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Always Nice to Meet a Fan

Terry J. Allen

I recall now and then
the construction worker
I met on the Staten Island Ferry
early one evening.

He appeared to be heading
home from work while I
was on a joy ride to take
in the majestic view
of the New York Harbor,
the Statue of Liberty,
and Ellis Island,
where European immigrants
on my father’s side first
arrived in America,
while my mother and I
entered through San Francisco
many years later
as immigrants from Australia.

He was a rough, husky man,
wearing well-worn, steel-toed
work boots, safety vest,
hard hat and had a green Stanley
lunch box and thermos at his feet.

In my ignorance, I felt I knew
this man and would have
no surprise at what he might say
And that’s when he opened his lunch box
and took out a book on ballet,
with a colorful cover
that pictured dancers
in leotards and tutus
caught for an instant
in acrobatic flight.

As he was reading, I struck up
a conversation and asked him
about his interest in ballet
and was told that he didn’t
know that much about it yet,
but he felt he needed to learn
since his real passion
was opera and so he’d checked
out a book from the library
to get started and that led
him to talking about
Beverly Sills who had
announced her retirement
and would be giving her
final singing performance
in her Farewell Gala
at New York City Opera,
where he was hoping to get
a ticket when they went
on sale to the public.

That sounds wonderful, I said.

Oh yes, he said, looking
up at the clouds floating by
and listening for something
that I could not hear.

She has a voice that can slice
through the largest orchestra
and chorus. A voice like no other.
She’s a lyric coloratura, he said.

I like to think that he had the best
seat in the house for Beverly Sills’
farewell performance.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...