Michael

an unexpected story

A few weeks ago

at the farmer’s market

I heard a stranger calling

Esther Cohen.

I live in a neighborhood

where Esther Cohens are abundant

and I didn’t know the voice

so I ignored him until he

came up to me holding my book

and he said the words every single

person who writes waits forever

to hear: I loved this book.

We sat on a bench and talked

and although he looked familiar

(everyone does now) I didn’t

think I knew him until I asked

his name and he smiled and said

Michael Imperioli and I said

I am crazy not to have recognized

you we love you in everything

and my friend David walked by

and saw us and said,

amazed, but not surprised

How Do You Two Know Each Other?

Michael said come see me

in An Enemy of the People on Broadway

and he helped us get great seats.

This week we did and he was

wonderful (so’s the play)

(I know somehow we’ll

all meet again.)

(