Third Floor Walk-up (Ekphrasis after Stiegliz)

I
Mrs. Meuller’s bed linens frozen on the line.
What will another night in the cold city bring?
The sheets are stiff as boards, been out there a long time.
Mrs. Meuller’s bed linens frozen on the line.
The sky grows darker and she’s looking for a sign,
her Heinz walks up the alley and begins to sing
Mrs. Meuller’s bed linens frozen on the line.
What will another night in this cold city bring?

II
She loves sea mist and fog, loves to stare out the back window over the sink at pigeons on the line. She loves the first night snow. Her boys will be home soon from school, Heinz a little later from the plant with that strange smell on him of metal and flowers and most of his pay. It is time to start the onions.