91. Escalators and what could have been
Simple movement up and down, made evocative and dramatic.
suggested reading method
To best savour this artwork, please take a moment to eliminate distractions. Consider minimizing all other windows on your computer; putting other devices (phone, tv etc) aside; taking a deep breath, to the full extent of your lung capacity; and focusing solely on the “artwork 1” and “artwork 2” sections.
Once you’ve processed those to your satisfaction, the rest of the post is optional reading, provided only for context .
artwork 1
“Escalator” by Ritt Momney from his 2021 album Sunny Boy. Recommended to listen through headphones.
artwork 2
Going Down Going down the escalator of the subway, I glanced across and saw on the escalator's partner rising up someone who looked a bit like you but with hair not so soft and clean and warm as yours brushing against mine on those rare occasions when inadvertently our foreheads neared, making me wish it to stay. We were not physical lovers and never could have been. But we were close. Moved three states away, married happily or not, you are now only a person I may hope to meet momentarily, and not really then: merely in my mind, because of what I chance to see. But I am not unhappy about this or think that I am not. Because of your hair. Because of your beautiful hair.
by Jonathan Bracker, 2016 (as posted on The Poetry Foundation).
context
Ritt Momney is the artist name of Jack Rutter (b. 1999), a Salt Lake City-raised singer-songwriter. Rutter earned a record deal thanks to his cover of Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On” which went viral on TikTok in 2020. To date, he has released 2 albums and 5 singles.
Jonathan Bracker is an American poet, author of eight poetry collections, and editor of several books.
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