T.D. 1960

The heliograph was used extensively in the Raj by the British Army during the nineteenth century. The standard preamble to any message was often a searching: "Are you there?" repeated several times while waiting for a sun-borne reply from another heliograph. That precedent is being followed here.

T.D. 1960

Are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?

Up and down all the streets
Nearby Washington Square,
My thoughts beam your name
Through the bright summer air.

Are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?

[Actually the poem was shorter than the explanation... Sometimes it's better that way].