Across the River

Brooklyn, a separation
from the illusion of the city,
almost a forgotten place,
despite great bridges and parks,
marred by too many drab buildings,
on miles of residential streets,
where garbage decorates the trees,
bicycle wheel dangling on a rotting branch,
old sneakers, plastic bags, detritus.
This place of night silence,
where workers fall into their beds
earlier than in other cities,
a journey through devouring cells.
Not many strangers pass
in the darkness of your streets.
This lost and fading land,
peopled by phantoms
so quickly gone.


Gary Beck’s poetry has appeared in dozens of literary magazines. His recent fiction has been published in numerous literary magazines. His chapbook, 'The Conquest of Somalia', will be published by Cervena Barva Press. His plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes, and Sophocles have been produced Off-Broadway.