I used to love New York
But maybe it was a New York which never was
A New York from films by Woody Allen
Sung about in Bernstein's music.
Manhattan skyline ablaze with light
(But less so now with the twin towers gone)
Brooklyn Bridge in the autumn mist
But I never spotted Tony Minero dancing there.
Taxi drivers who speak no English
Who make de Niro look sane and friendly;
Eighth Avenue delis open twenty-four seven
With portions too gross to contemplate.
That chicken who plays tic-tac-toe on Mott
I now know the bastard cheats to win;
The Italian restaurants on Mulberry
Where the untreated sewage fouls the air.
Central Park in the dark - a walk with death,
Harlem a no-go area above One Twenty Fifth,
Sunday oyster brunch at the Plaza
(If you can afford it need I add?)
The great white way shabby and tatty
A shadow of its former glory days;
And you'd more likely meet a pack of feral rats
Than a Saint on Bleecker Street these days.
Great liners no longer line the East River,
And Greenwich Village is chic not beat,
And there's no picturesque drunks in the Bowery now;
But there's no denying it's a Helluva town.
Author notes
If you liked this, you might just like www.allpoetry.com/poem/1081165 .
Written December 6th, 2005
A contest entry
- Cityscape - New York by Highwaytraveller.
375 points, ended July 24, 19 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 35 of 35
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It's interesting how differently we can remember places from the past. I remember my yard from when I was a child..as being huge b/c I had a pool, swing and sandbox. But when I went back to visit it was this little square of grass with a few trees on the side and a small sandbox on the edge of the house. I'm sure the city will never be quite the same as it was before 9/11, but I haven't seen it since before that. I like your descriptiveness. thanks for the entry.
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Wow... Um... Personally, I like to think of New York City as that hard @$$ with a heart of gold. That Wall Street broker who'll shank his mom for a trade then turns around and buys her a house in Westchester because, "The city's no place for you, ma..." I think of Bumpy Johnson's Harlem. 125 isn't all that bad. Ask Claude Brown. He grew to be one hell of a man. Anyway, congrats and write on. One.
Dez -
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I would love to know what "shanking his mom" means. Also Bumpy Johnson. Who is she?
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First rate stuff here!!!!
great!!!!!
I like this poem a lot
thank you for the entry. -
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Thank you for the GOLD. I am both surprised and pleased.
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Well, this is a fountain of pictoral imagery from a seasoned traveller, no doubt. I love the nostalgic reflections and yet today will be the next generations nostalgic past and as unique to them as yester-years were to us... and I must say I would never turn down a opportunity for a short visit to The Big Apple... [a much different style of writing for you... and a pleasant surprise too...]
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waxing romantic, the tender side of Edna....
love this one...
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ho! Edna Darling ,have you been to new York, your discription is first class. Love your poem Sweetcheeks, You are just Awesome!!!! What part of GB are you from Edna, would like to meet you .
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Of course I have visited NY. Many times. Not since "9/11" as I will not submit to vulgar immigrations checks. If Americans want my money, they will have to drop all this cheeky shit.
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You spelled accurately correctly! It is better to have doubts and be right than to plough along illiterately and think you are correct! I'm pleased you liked the poem.
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Wow. I've never been to New York, so it was amazing to read something that seems like it would so accurately(I can't spell that =)) describe it! Lots of good details, and good adjectives. I kept reading, to find out more and more. Amazing poem. Good job and keep writing!!!!! =)
Elyse -
This is a brilliantly penned poem with a lot of amazing imagery
Your talent is amazing thank you for allowing me to read and comment on your work.. -
My above comment makes it sound like I dont enjoy your usual stuff! I do I do!
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I'd beat the chicken, foul play or not. Or at the very least I'd choke it. I like this Edna, different in many ways to what I have read of yours. Here, have an applause.
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Excellent write! You have a talent for writing. The imagery here is really amazing. I read alot of poems on allpoetry, but not many writers are capable of bringing so much detail to a piece. Bravo!
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I think this is very good. Not as good as my own entries of course(which you should read) but well worth an applause thing. Very sentimental and sweet.
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Gee Edna...this could be the new New York New York song
I can see you now..pushing that burnt out, has been, Liza off the stage into the orchestra pit 
Make room for Edna
Enjoyed this - i should visit you more often...Bravo -
i lovethis. your really funny. i want more and more of your stuff to read
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The chicken reference is real; there is a Chinese arcade in Mott Street with a chicken and you play noughts and crosses (tic tac toe in US terms) with it. And you lose. Always. A bit like Preservation Hall, without poultry.
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bon chance
i'm from new orleans so i understand abotu the touristy misrepresentations of cities...i like the reality of this piece and the bit about the chicken was hilarious. thanks for entering -
Hmm... i'm not sure if you're making a bit of a mockery as to what New York has become or if you're just missing what it once was. Not sure if i could relate to this (having only been there once and i was about 10 at the time) but i do like the flow of this, the imagery of what i've never seen but can easily imagine due to your words. Excellent write
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Summer journeys to Niagra
and to other places aggravate all our cares.
We'll save our fares!
I've a cozy little flat in
What is known as old Manhattan
We'll settle down
Right here in town!
We'll have Manhattan
the Bronx and Staten Island too.
It's lovely going through the zoo!
It's very fancy
on old Delancy street you know.
The subway charms us so
When balmy breezes blow
To and fro.
I'd like to take a
Sail on Jamaica Bay with you,
And fair Canarsie's Lakes we'll view.
The city's bustle cannot destroy
The dreams of a girl and boy
We'll turn Manhattan
Into an isle of joy.
And tell me what street
compares with Mott Street in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-ding by.
The great big city's a wond'rous pearl
Just made for a boy and girl.
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!
Well, will you look at me?
Not been to N.Y.C.
I'll "have a nice day!"
In my own special way
Bonnie Scotland's the place for me
(Dons kilt, and exits, skirling his pipes)
Nice poem. Any New Yorkers read it yet? Just wondering. Rock On, Edna.
Edited on Dec 07, 2:32 p.m. because ''. -
I didn't mean to infer that YOU didn't like Woody Allen, I"M not the big fan of him (to which I get crucified everytime I say that openly). I do apologize. When I read in your comment that this was a recent trip. I even changed my comment because I thought recent like this year..that changes everything! You did say used to like NY so I went from there. Coming when you did, well, I can understand. But I must say, Bleecker St. the only rats there were the drunk tourist hitting on me. The village chic,hmm..I don't know, there are times I'm there and I feel like I've been thrown back into the 70's. yes, we're all still a little skittish, but for the most part, you can feel life being breathed back into the city. I'll tell you what, you come here again, you be sure to give me a call, and I promise, you will have fun!! I have a feeling though, you have fun where ever you go! ~Michelle~
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New York here I come.The emphasis being on co
Never been to New York but it sounds my kind of city,all filth and ratty,disgusting and tatty.The sewer smells are a perfume that Dior would be proud of.When can afford will book a ticket and you can show me the sites.The hustle and the bustle and the timeless quality is something would like to experience.A friend told me you either love this city or hate it,there are no in betweens.Woody Allen is a unique talent and that quirky humour fantastic.You painted a portrait. -
I thought I'd made it clear in the piece: [1] I like Woody Allen; [2] I find NY fascinating - although I haven't been there since 2002 and with increased US travel barriers, passport problems and restrictions, I am unlikely to bother to go again. Never mind, the rest of the world awaits.
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Great write Edna.. somehow though I get the feeling you were somewhat disappointed. I'm not the biggest Woody Allen fan, but then you still have to let him in your heart. He is the consumate New Yorker! Good luck in the contest my friend...
~Michelle~
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Edna, from you this is an amazing piece (not that your other works are not good, they are). Not as full of sarcasm and bite as your usual fare.
That somehow makes it even more poignant.
Hats off doll, this is a great piece. Reminds me of the New York I knew in a dream or visited once now only living in half forgotten memories clouded by nostalgia. -
NYC's still great, no doubt about it. Nice job Edna.
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All the images are quite recent: and the older ones are courtesy of B&W films.
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excellent job
Wow! This is amazing New York yes beautiful descriptions and creative imagery.nice tone and wonderful flow.thanks for the read and good luck in the contest
Edited on Dec 06, 1:38 p.m. because 'typing'. -
it IS a "hellava" town! To date, it is my favorite city i have ever had the chance to spend time in, with all its crap, i still wouldnt ever want it to change........bekah
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Don't tell me you're really old enough to remember the images in this poem, darling? You're making me feel all nostalgic, but I guess that we all grew up on the literary and celluloid images of New York. I had the same feeling about London before I lived there.
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diffenrt than your usual.
i love it!
great job
never been to NY and now i dont want to -
Wow! This is amazing! You may think I'm wierd but the line I love the most is 'Where the untreated sewage fouls the air.'
...I have no idea why.
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