Railroad Avenue

Dusk dark
On Railroad Avenue.
Lights in the fish joints,
Lights in the pool rooms. 
A box car some train
Has forgotten
In the middle of the block.
A player piano,
A victrola. 
     942
     Was the number.
A boy
Lounging on the corner.
A passing girl
With purple powdered skin.
     Laughter 
     Suddenly
     Like a taut drum.
     Laughter
     Suddenly
     Neither truth nor lie.
     Laughter
Hardening the dusk dark evening. 
      Laughter
Shaking the lights in the fish joints,
Rolling white balls in the pool rooms,
And leaving untouched the box car
Some train has forgotten.