North Main Street

Picture frames and comic books,

tattoos and hair and nails,

adornments for the human folk

and for their valued beasts

and something sweet and maybe cold,

while watering spots abound,

and food is served both in and out.

Antiques are sold and sought-for things,

and the court is now in session

while, where prescriptions once were filled,

show business can go on,

and eyes are checked and glasses made,

and musical instruments sold,

and seams are sewn down by the bridge –

a little past the bank.

So much is going on –

and more is being built –

and there they dwell above the shops

and offices housing many trades –

and just down here, below the stairs,

a poet lurks and writes,

in the downtown that they said would die,

two blocks that just live on

while the parson overlooks the street

his hand held up in blessing.

----------Ed Pacht, Rochester Poet Laureate