One Helluva Place


New York City's one helluva place
Although it could use more actual space
The traffic rolls slowly, not at all fast
This city of culture remains unsurpassed

From Battery Place to the Duyvil of Spuyten
The feel of this city is more than exciten
The view of Grants Tomb excites many tourist
Particularly those who are history purists

Burroughs, five in all, sport their own personalities
With resident citizens of all nationalities
Who bring to New York its global perspective
That for a democracy is truly effective

Brooklynites known for their perceived accent, of course
The Bronx is proud of its long Grand Concourse
Just slightly south of Westchesters Rye-land
While Queens remains gateway to all of Long Island

Staten Islands only one fame
Is that it's factually known by its second name
Richmond, it's called and no-one knows why
As a great place to visit, fuggetaboudit, I'll pass it by

The ferry to Staten is delightful and fun
Almost as good as Nathans frankfurter bun
The Bronx famous for many a college
Offers its students a vast world of knowledge

Now back to Manhattan, known all the world-over
It's as relevant to New York as is England to Dover
Just south is Lady Liberty, treading on water
To those who've not seen her, they really should ought-a

A little north is Wall Streets bulls and bears
Where stocks are sold by the millions in shares
Then to Chinatown and Little Italy on a very short ride
Where won-ton and pasta are found side by side

Taxi up Broadway right up to mid-town
Or ride on the subway, just below ground
The traffic horn-blowers so loud and so blare-ish
At the hub of the city, so very Times-square-ish

The fine architecture of the Church of Saint Patricks
The famous White Way with its Broadway theatrics
The Music Hall Rockettes dance with precision
Presents to their audience an eye-catching vision


Go shopping on Avenues, Fifth or Madison
Stay at The Plaza or the hotel named Raddison
Row on the lake of grand Central Park
Preferably in the daytime, not when it's dark

An ice skating rink In Rockefeller Center,
Amid beautiful sculptured art deco splendor
Go Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall-ing
For Classics or Jazz, all music enthralling

There are museums a-plenty for artist gourmets
That would satisfy any artistic forays
For anyone who aspires to be a Big Apple buff
One visit to New York ain't ever enough

by Stan Cooper...9/19/09 graphic by Don Hunt




Poetry by Stan Cooper The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 564 times
Written on 2009-09-27 at 06:13

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ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
Great write , Stan , reminds me f my tripe to the old smoke , London , that is. When I was at school , the museams atr and history had me spellbound.

Ken ( D Williams )
2009-09-28


shells
Been to New York just the once, stayed in Times-square-ish, think I've learnt more reading this than visiting! I definitely agree with your last line.
2009-09-28


NicholasG
To a Canajun, water and ought-a is, as Cyndi Lauper says, Queens English! :-)
Grand style ,Stan, a homage to the Mecca of jazz!
2009-09-27