The Shops at Columbus Circle (Thursday Doors)

when the night comes early we seek the light–
bringing the stars inside to sing and soothe us–
a glittering quilt to hold against the cold

I stopped in the shopping mall at Columbus Circle to use the bathrooms the other day and was surprised to see it was already lit up for the holidays. But it was gloomy and cold outside, so it was a welcome sight.

Outside the corridor that leads to the bathrooms is Bad Roman, “a new modern Italian restaurant” according to their website. The doors are interesting–is it a snake? I couldn’t find snake on the moderately expensive menu. But they do have lobsters for $125. A burger is $30, and most pastas are in the $40 range.

Even the escalators are festive. I like the glow.

The Shops at Columbus Circle, designed by Elkus Manfred Associates, opened in February 2004, and houses both stores and restaurants inside the Time Warner Center building. There is a large Whole Foods with a seating area for eating in the basement. Jazz at Lincoln Center is also in the building. And the public bathrooms are clean and well kept.

The entrance lobby features one of several copies of Botero’s “Adam and Eve”. This is Adam’s back. As noted by Atlas Obscura: “The Time Warner Center is no white cube gallery, so visitors are free to touch the art. So many hands have copped a feel on Adam’s, shall we say, humble nether region, that it’s been transformed into a substantial golden point of interest all its own.” There are lots of doors here, so the next time I’m taking photos I’ll make sure to get a view of Adam’s front (and Eve as well).

Did you notice that the hanging stars change color?

On my way home I was hoping to walk along Central Park West on the park side, but they are already putting up the bleachers for the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.

My poem is in answer to Shaun’s W3 prompt to use internal rhyme. He suggested between 8 and 16 lines, but he also said he liked brevity (as do I) and I found I said everything I wanted in 3 lines. It has the feel of a sijo but with less syllables.

And don’t forget to check in with host Dan Antion for more doors at Thursday Doors.