ALEX STOLIS
Man Ray Edits Notorious
The initials A.H.L.D. float in front of a wall,
Rains picks broken glass from the floor, light
shifts and it is outdoors, Bergman wears black
hose, a ladder crawls up her leg, she turns--
faces a deserted street, a picture of Leopoldine
Konstantin flutters against an opaque window.
Close-up of a key in her palm-- a leaf spirals
onto white tile, she smiles at Grant, avoids
conversation but once outside she breaks
her word and takes his hand, is lead down
the stairs to a 1946 Cadillac. She tilts her head
at the sound of an old man's cough, covers
her smile with a handkerchief. Grant drives away
credits roll- no sound when the initials are erased.
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