Closing Time

Closing Time Natasha Trethewey (bio) Before this, they were on opposite sides of the room. Between them, the pool table stretched green as promise, lampshades in silent agreement, fringe shimmying in yellow light. Closing time pulls them together, cars in procession, headlights filling each tree with silver leaves, and the picture-man selling quick memories, a dollar a piece. Their simple pose— the darkened bar behind them, behind the oiled light of their faces—she holds him, instead, like a child, one hand on her hip as if to scold, not seduce, his head bowed toward her. He nuzzles her breasts, biting his lip. With her other hand, she squeezes his shoulder, steadying him, her head up, her eyes looking out toward nothing at all. Selected works by Natasha Trethewey: • Accounting • Beginning • Calling His Children Home • Closing Time • Deedywops • Delta Sharecroppers, 1930 • Expectant • History Lesson • Hot Comb • The House Down the Street • Saturday Drive • Secular • The Four Corners • Laying the Waves • An Interview with Natasha Trethewey Related Articles: Accounting Related Articles: Beginning Related Articles: Calling His Children Home Related Articles: Deedywops Related Articles: Delta Sharecroppers, 1930 Related Articles: Expectant Related Articles: History Lesson Related Articles: Hot Comb Related Articles: The House Down the Street Related Articles: Saturday Drive Related Articles: Secular Related Articles: The Four Corners Related Articles: Laying the Waves Related Articles: An Interview with Natasha Trethewey Natasha Trethewey Natasha Trethewey, a member of the Dark Room Collective, is studying for the Ph.D. in English at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), where she received the M.F.A. in creative writing in 1995. Her poetry has appeared in a variety of periodicals, including The Massachusetts Review, Seattle Review, Agni, The Southern Review, African American Review, The Gettysburg Review, and Callaloo. Copyright © 1996 Charles H. Rowell

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