Don’t talk to me about the automatons—
Laughing Sally at the Musée Mécanique,
how she cackled and seemed to whisper
my name as small, cracked bells chimed
over an artificial bay where robotic sea lions
(with convincing stench) formed my initials
while decommissioned battleships, perfect
scale models, kept watch. Even now, doll-size
Beats stagger outside false City Lights,
and Chinatown, that phantom diorama,
rises, falls, breathes real fog.
If it’s Tuesday p.m., check out Open Link Night at dVerse Poets.
Marilyn Rauch Cavicchia 
ooooh! So chillingly atmospheric!
Thank you, complynn!
ha – when i saw your tweet i immediately jumped over as i visited SF not too long ago… loved china town and bought some nice presents for the fam there…they have european traffic lights in chinatown…ha…fun…
Thanks for visiting here, Claudia. Didn’t notice the traffic lights when I was there. Maybe next time!
That’s brilliant.
Such a vibe. Just brilliant. Other worldly so.
Thank you so much! I was going for kind of a blend of what’s really there, and also kind of imagined/creepy/weird.
this is great. it sooooo is SF. i mean…totally and thoroughly!!!
Dance to the Moulin Rouge
Thanks. Tammy! I’ve been there a few times and could have gone again recently, but missed my chance. 😦
I’ve never been to the US, let alone San Fransisco, but for some reason the overwhelming impression I have of that city is of fog; I was so glad to see it included here.
Thanks, Tony! The fog is real, and most present in the summer. For my first visit there, I made the mistake of packing mostly summer stuff when August is actually among its coldest months.
I left my heart there once and since have often been inclined to retrieve it. It is a foggy notion I am want to be rid of and almost was . . . until I read your piece. Now it starts all over again.
Cool write.
Ride a cable car sometime? When the fog has lifted?
Cheers!
Thanks, Jeff. I’ll take you up on that, on some clear day. 🙂
Thanks for the memories of a favorite city. Nicely done.
I really liked your images and the dynamic of this poem’s flow. It is actually a “one breath poem.” Great to take in.
Marilyn, San Francisco is on my bucket list. Enjoyed this.
Pamela
Belatedly, thanks, Pamela! It’s one of those cities that has a lot of distinct character. I think everyone should visit at least once.