What's leftover from a trip to New York, (YES, YIKES, THE New York) is a whole lot of photographs of Regina and Miranda head to head, singing songs (Holy S... Miranda's voice is so rich, Regina's stories so full) , giggles and a walk along Riverside Park. Smells of a bakery in Chelsea; memories of ripe banannas, tomatoes (probably from Jersey) and a smiling vendor singing, "fruit, fresh fruit"; The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" and dreams of angels and of men in William Blake's etching; my sweet friend Sarah Hasted waving, "Come on In" as she stands inside the Hasted-Hunt gallery now filled with extraordinary photographs that tell real stories of yes, REAL people. People like you. People like me.
A man walks his bicycle, not quite tipping over(the bicycle, that is) from the bags of cans, plastic and other items he will trade for some green. He is smiling, he is content. A mornings work is done. "Thank God for leftovers", he sings.
What's leftover from New York? Echoes of laughter from Hitchcock's "39 Steps" as performers delighted everyone with vaudeville like routines, slapstick humor and an evening of anticipation and comical moments that caused much audience participation during intermission ("Wasn't that just wonderful", "How bout' that shower curtain", "I just love to laugh, aren't they simply wonderful"). The Helen Hayes Theatre, filled with all sorts of people ready to be entertained, will be remembered as THE PLACE where under fantastic lighting, actors beautifully dressed in period costumes captivated my eyes . Yes it really happened- people went to spend a short time together, to laugh OUTLOUD, to poke one another, to walk away grinning and for a change, NOT ONE TEAR!
Subways and busses, honking drivers, clinking of glasses with Patrick at The Kettle (THE BAR), the shrill of an ambulance, a garden walkway above the city; city lights through a bedroom window, clapping feet on stairs, an infant in a carriage, a comedy routine in Central Park, An olive eyed actor called Tom who sang, "You make me feel so young..." (and boy did he ever...), the German Day Parade, a "wishing tree" on a parking space turned community spot for the day, Ed Gregory with his twinkling blue eyes as he commented on cycles of this life; the turn of the bolt on the door- all this and more is what's leftover.
What's leftover from the last day in The City is of Central Park, the flavor of a gyro, strains of music from a Julliard Trio, three comediennes shouting, "Are you gonna let them tip that, America?", and a peaceful walk through a Strawberry Field as three veiled women chanted prayers, a wave goodbye and the closing of a one train door as another opened.
What's leftover from New York is gratitude. Gratitude for Carole and Hal who made this trip possible, gratitude for Linda, Tsyndu, Evelyn and Lyn and the neighbors in "the hood" who cared for Miss Pearl Foster. That's what's leftover, gratitude, and it feels real good.
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