L. Strong

At the first glance she took my breath away.

beautiful beyond measure as she stood at the top of the subway stairs.

she stared deep into my eyes and flashed her florescent smile.

she flung her hair back as i contemplated on whether to step to her.

I had too.

i was in arms reach as she turned away and some how smoothly bolted through the crowd.

her perfume lingered in the air as she took off.

in pursuit of beauty at its peak i watched her swiftly as i tried to catch up.

left then right through the crowd she went.

i could hear her faint giggle as she headed into the next hall.

i ran as fast as i could hoping not to lose her but when i hit the corner,

there was no one. just a dark tunnel and train tracks.

i could still smell her sweet perfume.

as i looked down i noticed her scarf laying there.

i picked it up and smelled it to make sure it was hers.

then i saw a bright light.

the loud horn of the train sounded as it barreled towards me.

….next thing i know my alarm clock is going off, i wake up in my bed.

Coltrane and Elvin, New York, 1960

2nd: Billy Ricker & Norma Miller (aka The Queen of Swing)

3rd: Al Minns & Willa Mae Ricker

4th: Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson