Rheostatics - Ugly Manhattan

Martin Tielli

In the early morning, in ugly Manhattan,
Cars slow down and jam then slowly crawl away.
Up and down the avenue, ticker tape and revenue.
I am just an arty, so I write a poem.

In the peak of daytime, in sprawling Manhattan,
I walk along Wall Street, but Wall Street stays the same.
Up and down the avenue, ticker tape around you.
I am a stockbroker so I stand on top of things.

I am musician. People think I'm groovy
Because I saw a movie and think that I'm in it.
Up and down the avenue, Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed, too.
The joke's not just on you, it's also on them, too.