He walks with exceptional brace
neck held at just an angle
of confidence and a trace
of style with the collar spangle.

This strip on the cool high hills
arouses a desire to swank
and dress to the gills
to convey a higher rank.

Cars pass slowly to allow
passengers to gawk and gauge
from shoes to belt to brow
the strut and splash upon the stage.

Girls giggle and glance
as if their secret would amaze -
their skirts and curls dance
for the eyes in the cafes.

Cozy Art Deco hotel
coffee bars and tony shops
guy walking dog and ear to cell
Excelsior lives and snaps and pops.

06/13/2009

Author's Note: I was listening on NPR to Billy Collins explaining and then reading a poem that he said he titled first, not knowing what the poem would be about. I thought that might be fun and the above is the result of my attempt.

Posted on 06/14/2009
Copyright © 2025 Glenn Currier