Two poems by Irv Cohen, Class of '43

The following are two poems from a collection recited Saturday night by Irv Cohen at the Sault Collegiate Institute 100th Reunion Dinner and Dance.

After graduating from SCI in 1943, Cohen served two years in the U.S. Navy, then studied fine arts at Wayne University in Detroit. He worked for 30 years as a hospital representative and currently resides in Southfield, Michigan with his wife Beverly.

Published by permission of the author.

*************************************************************************** THE WINDSOR HOTEL

Proper place to dine on holidays, And If you were from the old school, Nowhere else to stay. Or mark occasions In the lobby, most sacred amphitheatre.

It's an old song now, carefully tucked away In the archives when one-way streets Were an oddity and motor-inns were Individual cabins by the side of the road.

Nine stories to heaven's apogee, casting Sly looks at rhe retinue below. But The change is protracted: days slip into days As if the present would never end.

And slowly the evidence of change appears Across the centre, too gradual for Marking time, illusive time That steals away your inheritance.

Irv Cohen, July 2002

*************************************************************************** THE ALGOMA THEATRE

Popcorn implied feelings of Warmth and excitement: Theatre lobby -- Saturday night. Was this not the epitome Of your whole social life -- back then?

And the lights dimmed. And the dark blue curtains slowly Rose. And night became day. And this was Paradise Regained, God's intention all along.

Buttery popcorn. Stretch your arm And touch her shoulder. Whatever Was the purpose of that insidious world Outside? Perhaps a chocolate soda In a booth...

The marquee is gone. Just the original Words, engraved in stone: Algoma Theatre Remains, like the ancient Roman lettering On the Trajan Column. And my heart Grieves sorely. Grieves sorely.

Irv Cohen, November 2001

**************************************************************************** Truth, justice, and poems from your high school reunion

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