Negotiating through Woolworth’s downtown store

Eva peeked over the tall man’s shoulder

Certainly a crowd had gathered

She felt easier now.  She felt bolder.

For the handsome piano man seemed one with his song

And grabbed her where she was tender,

“SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME,”

She justified being a “borrower” not a lender.

Her baby blues began to tear up.

She’d planned to take one more thing.

She didn’t want to look so poor.

A “Cigarette Girl” has to have class in her spring.

She just needed some stockings for her interview soon

And this would be the last

She’d make some money in the club

All this would shrink into her past.

She was beside herself. Should she stay or go?

Police were checking shoppers at the door..

Into the bathroom just to think.

What if she were caught stealing one thing more?

She looked up and what did she see?

An open window above the stall!

She could hoist herself up and through

And be prepared however the fall.

Easy the hoist and slender the slip

A little ways to the ground

Eva looked around the alley

Once she let loose there was no turning around.

A nail caught her dress on the way down…

A loud rip when she let go.

What would her Mom and Dad think?

Easy landing from fences back in Ohio?

She looked at her clothes, dismayed at the tear.

That left her with one good dress.

How was she going to explain this?

Trying to look classy.

Now what a mess.

She pulled together the gap in her clothes.

Walked out into the street.

Headed for home, The “Y,”

Now feeling like, she’d turned into a cheat.

Newspaper headlines along the way,

Caught her eye in an instant,

“GEORGE GERSHWIN, COMPOSER, IS DEAD”

That man at the piano?

This was inconsistent!

She thought that was George Gershwin playing that song

That man was a look-alike!

Honoring Gershwin at fifteen,

Singing for buyers without even a mic!

Hmmm..

Eva was thinking out loud.

To be continued..

By Flo Lawrence