‘Room in New York, Edward Hopper, 1932’ by Paddy Davies Jones

Room in New York, Edward Hopper, 1932

by Paddy Davies Jones I. At least I’m doing it properly: Bound up in black and white, Tied, like a man. Reading the paper Though the words fade Under my gaze. I won the key to this mahogany, These green walls That red dress you’re Locked up in, So why don’t you look at me? I play the part, darling. What do you play? II. I am bound up in black and white. The room fades. I am not in New York. I am not in your x-ray gaze. I have the key beneath my finger, Beneath my paper-white skin, And it is every other key and every other note I’ve ever played. All my music swims in me; The music I was baptised in, The music I have won. I am upstate again, Playing the arpeggios properly As the leaves turn from green to red. The key opens every door And I am unlocked.