RED DEVIL
Artist
The Alternative Press
Artist
Bill Berkson
Date1987
MediumLetterpress on paper
DimensionsPaper Size: 11 × 7 7/8 in. (27.9 × 20 cm)
ClassificationsPrint
Credit LineGift of Gary Eleinko, 2023
Object numberUAC7448.11
DescriptionLetterpress printed poem by Bill Berkson, titled "RED DEVIL". The red devil perched with his sword
a little to the left above the profile of Dante
on the torn sqaure of wrapping paper pinned to the wall
Dante is one of them, as"en Veil" at the tear-edge is another.
Dante wears his customary, slightly pinched, fierce "fuck you"
expression which is not directed at anyone personally, the viewer
but registers inner struggle toward thought and concentration.
The Red Devil was one of a string of Italian resteraunts
around Broadway in the theater district circa 1950 where I
used to go for supper with my parents between Sunday movies.
It was my favorite for spaghetti and meatballs
and within easy walking distance of the best theaters -
The Rialto, Strand, Roxy, Paramount, Capitol, and Loew's State.
My father had lived and worked in Rome during the 30s,
he so enjoyed speaking Italian with the jovial hefty waiters,
and I would have chianti mixed with water like a real Italian kid.
By the door and on the front of the menus was a Red Devil,
the piquant muted red of spaghetti sauce.
One time as we were leaving the place, getting on our coats,
there was a tall stately brunette standing near us,
adjusting her milk wrap. She was sexy, I was 12, I froze
and gawked. Then I noticed my father looking at her too
with a funny light in his eyes. I don't know which way my
mother was looking, but for a split second my father's look
and mine clicked, and he gave me a very knowing glance.
I felt something pop into place.
It was our first shared joke as men.
Published by The Alternative Press, Issue Number 14-15 (Double Edition).
