1950s Winters At Asbury Park

We would return in winter
sometimes on 20 degree February Sundays,
the beach a frozen emptiness,
the ocean roaring alone without
lifeguard whistles and squeals of swimmers.

We would return in winter
to watch Disney films in lavish
movie palaces with sky high balconies,
ankle deep carpeting, ushers in velvet blazers
and cinemascope screens as wide as the sea.

We would return in winter
in thick hooded coats and scarves, the wind
a razor across our faces as we walked the boards
to the warmth of the Criterion where we dined
behind windows steaming against salty ice air.

We would return even in winter
to shiver in front of locked food stands and rides
their signs announcing See You Next Summer!
a promise that good times always come back
like heat from an August sunrise.