A Steve

his name should be more exotic, like Calypso or Egypt. But it's Steve

Steve, a quasi-homeless man across the street,

a fashion plate, photographed 17 times

by Bill Cunningham for the New York Times

he has some spectacular outfits, Steve, a man

I’ve known for years, not uncomplicated,

he owns many Issey Miyakes, wears beautiful hats,

still beautiful in spite of his economic situation,

he asked if I could give him some books to sell

he’s selling on the street so I brought down a big

bag and he accepted Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk

to Freedom, rejected Tagore’s Gitanjali (too high

brow and esoteric) also rejected Agatha Christie’s

Murder on the Orient Express (everyone’s already

read it, said Steve.”