It would be hard to say goodbye

Last night I stood on the end of Pier 45 chatting with L—, an Italian ex-pat I had just met. We were both taking a break from dancing. Tango music filled the space around us, and we watched the dancers as they made their way around the floor.

I asked him how long he had been in New York. Nine years, he told me. I asked if he would ever go back to Italy. No, he said. Well, I go back every year to see my family, but that's it. He wouldn't think of moving back. He said it's easy to stay in New York. He said it's difficult to leave and guestured around us. His arm swept up the sound of the river lapping against the supports, the sun setting behind New Jersey, the city skyline lighting up as if waking from an afternoon nap, and the music and the dancers before us. I look around us; I listened to the music; and I agreed.

Posted by eku at July 23, 2009 12:38 PM