the best

we met her on the bus

on the way to new york city.

a young woman

full

of herself.

her fur boots, her hat,

her janis joplin

look

full retro at seventeen.

she told us

where to eat in chinatown.

the best she said.

absolutely the best. don't

leave

the city without going there.

you'll regret it.

she had a guitar with her,

but didn't

know how to play quite yet.

but she

had a teacher

in soho who was going

to give her lessons, she said.

he's the best, the best in the city.

everyone who's anyone

goes there.

next time you come up you'll

have to 

sit in on one

of my gigs.

probably in the village,

or tribeca,

i haven't decided quite yet.

she got off in newark before

the tunnel.

her father and mother in tears,

both shaking

their heads.