Black History Month Appreciation Of A Harlem Street Corner

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That taught me how to

sit comfortably

on a subway

during rush hour

 

There was a newsstand

on the corner

of Park Avenue

@ 125th Street

On a sweltering hot day

when I was on my way home

from substitute teaching

in Harlem,

there was a basket of 

Macintosh apples

alongside the newspapers

and magazines.

 

I purchased an apple

and descended into

the train station.

 

It was rush hour

but I got a seat

and joyously

bit into the apple.

 

NO ONE

sat within two seats

of where I was

comfortably and lusciously

munching on fruit.

 

The year was 1973

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