The speaker
An active, first-person speaker who guides the reader through his activities on the day of July 17th, 1959.
The Lady
Billie Holiday, a famous jazz singer who died of cirrhosis on the day the poem takes place.
Patsy
Patsy is the woman for whom the speaker purchases a book from the Golden Griffin.
Mark
A friend for whom the speaker purchases a bottle of Strega at the liquor store.
Miss Stillwagon
The bank teller, a figure the speaker frequently encounters in New York City.
Mal Waldron
A jazz pianist, and longtime friend of Billie Holiday.
