New York City spread herself before you
with her bangles and her spangles and her stars
you were impressed with the city so undressed
you had to go out cruising all the bars

your business trip extended through the weekend
suburban boy here for your first time
from the 27th floor above the midtown roar
you were dazzled by her beauty and her crime

and she’s every girl you’ve seen in every movie
every dame you’ve ever known on late night TV
in her steam and steel is the passion you feel
endlessly
New York is a woman she’ll make you cry
and to her you’re just another guy

edith wharton’s lovely figurines
still speak to me today
from their mantlepiece in time
where they wrestle and they play

with passions and with prudences
finances and fears
her face and what its worth to her
in the passing of the years

see the portrait come to life
see the vanity behind
cause in the struggle for survival
love is never blind

now, olivia lies under anasthesia
her wit and wonder snuffed
in a routine operation
her own beauty not enough,