the rockette

can you do
this, she says,
and kicks her leg
high over her
head like a
rockette in
the christmas
show at radio city,
she does
it again, and
again. her long
legs, one
at a time extended
and kicking
freely into
the air. she
is red faced
and sweating,
come on, she says,
you try it. you
can do it. i
don't think
we're a match,
you tell her,
cringing as you
bend over to pick
up a shiny quarter
you see lying on
the sidewalk.
i have to go home
now.