Black 1930's Harlem; No End

my submission for 1st week MOOC assignment .. still working it ;)https://app.novoed.com/#!/courses/poetry-and-plays-2017/home a free class anyone can join

Black 1930's Harlem; No End

Breath struggles first ....

to last .... the

stoop is high enough to

fall ... I  walk

down 

        down the long block

past the nickel Jitney; 

curb leaning Jitney ... the

disarray of dead soldiers

scattered ...

leaves a head balled up ...

Ya'know?

Sidewalk cracks .........

Long and 

              long and .................long time!

Enough to hide the fear.

Black ..............

cracks .................cracked crackers

Crack Head ....              

in the sidewalk; not to step on,

not to break momma's back, I 

tip toe like a hoofer

tap tap around the

corner

out of sight where everything is Jake

everything is jake.

alone and balled up; i'm

just scattered dead soldiers

around the block.

posted first on 07/22/2017

revision 07/25/2017

E.

Author's Note

slang used can be googled ..jitney, dead soldier, balled up, jake and hoofer

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Stunning, stunning, stunning! The form, cadence, rhythm, language- the musicality of this poem is stellar. "Dead soldiers"- empty wine/liquor bottles littering stoops, sidewalks and streets- I know them well. Stepping over passed-out bodies of men and women on steps and in alcoves- I know that too. I was born in East Harlem and wrote lyrics for songs performed by artists,such as Patti LaBelle, at Harlem's Apollo Theatre in the 80s. Spent the rest of my life "uptown" in the Bronx, but the Harlem connection is strong. Thank you for bittersweet memories and this wonderful poem my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! what an experience you have Ms. Annette! yes and yes and yes this is the picture i was striving to present ..as well as all those feelings .. i am so happy that you read this one ..having been there and reacting as you have ...there is no better thing one could hope for in a poem ..so glad you found this one ..so appreciate the time you took to share your review .. thank you

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are very welcome E. I am honored to read your work and be able to review it! :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Skid row....liquor bottles scattered on the sidewalks with alcoholics lying there next to them. There is a beat rhythm to the words....I could feel it. The imagery you employ packs a punch and the varied margins give the words even more impact. Very good, E. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

Lydia...you are so encouraging to me ..thank you for finding and reading this one ... Harlem is an incredible attraction to me ..in history and flavor..thanks so much for reviewing ..
E.

[Great Aunt Astri]

The picture you paint I can only imagine. Each line seems important and conveys the message like a camera. That was in 1930. I expect the picture has changed a bit since then?

[Einstein Noodle]

Harlem has gone through many metamorphosis .. i love its rich history ;) thank you for taking time Auntie ... tis is from a class i just took ..it is supposed to put the reader into the skin of another besides the writer ... so i am very happy that the lines acted as a camera into another world .. love love love and joy my friend! :)
E.

[emmajoy]

Love, love the music.. love, love the music of your creation.. a re.creation of time back when atmosphere was born to last.. and here, in your wonderful writing, it has, oh yes, it has!!

I've never been to Harlem, probably never will, but dear Lord, have you brought its life to me.. THANK YOU! Have read quite a few of your poems but for me, this is the very, very best!

Your words have draped me in a time when life was rich but changing; when colours were ripening from pale to significant. The way you've displayed your 'tale' is breath-taking: providing both full feast and 'dead soldiers' (new phrase for me and richer for it) plus so much more. I could stay a while.. given permission!

(Stayed anyway: had to listen to and look at the video once again - what a great addition to an already great post!)

[Einstein Noodle]

wow emma...i am so humbled and don't kow what to say ..but thank you so much for this encouraging, supportive review ..so happy it took you there .. that is one of the things our assignment was about .. its a persona poem and the class i am taking is free on-line .. the link is under the title ;) so so happy you were able to sit on the stoop ..Harlem is rich in history and peoples .. i wrote another one a while back with "I Have a Voice" if you would like to read it:
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/green444/1335087/
i personally like this one better ;)

[emmajoy]

I will read it.. promise, later on but, BUT as ever stayed too long in my haven of happiness..
read moreI will read it.. promise, later on but, BUT as ever stayed too long in my haven of happiness..

Your present poem really, really carried me into a time and place i wish i could have visited.. others know that very well, not the first time i've said it.

Must away, dear friend.

[wordman]

a great story about harlem ,and where you can go,and who is welcome

[Einstein Noodle]

interesting comments wordman! thank you for taking time
E.

[Cryingkate]

Out of my league on this one for understanding but thought the write flowed well. Hope this helps.

[Einstein Noodle]

well dear friend...we do try eh!? this is supposed to be in the skin of someone we are not ... and present an experience that that person would have in a time gone by .. i love Harlem ..its streets and homes and incredible history and contributions and pain ... i so sad this did not do it for you Kate :( but i will keep trying .. i collaborated with I Have a Voice a while back on another poem about Harlem .. did you try googling the slang words i used? i probably should have included the meanings but i got lazy .. "jitney" was a private care used as a cab ..kind of like Uber .. the fare was typically a nickle; dead soldiers are beer or liqueur bottles; balled up means confused or messed up; jake means everything is OK; hoofer is a dancer .. these were terms used back in the 30's Harlem .. maybe that helps ..love ya!
E.

[Cryingkate]

Ha. Can U Believe My Most Prized prts of my Collections are from the 30's But i know Nothing of Harlem.. Sorry i didn't google. But I Love your tke on it.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ................

[h d e rushin]

this poem means that you are working with shapes too..Harlem, 1930 is the time of multiple shapes and sounds....as African Americans left the south in droves and settled in the cultural enclaves in New York, Chicago and Detroit. Langston, Eubie Blake, Willie the Lion Smith, etc....had all come up from the south to an already established art movement. The fist 10 lines of this poem reminded me of that 'jazz', that syncopation of spirits trying to fit in a new world.....I see where others here have used the word transport.....And I agree with the need for poetry to transport us; our dimensional, cultural phosphors as evidence that the present is not all there is or was..

great poem.....dana

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks dana! i love the history of Harlem .. this poem is our first weeks assignment for the class i told you about ..it is supposed to be a persona poem putting the writer in the skin of another of different culture and background and try to tie in a social issue .. so happy you decided to visit this one .. i did another on Harlem with "i have a voice' quite a while back .. such a wealth of "stuff" in Harlem ..even present day .. love and peace my new found friend! :)
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear E... 'and all that jazz...'. very musical and lyrical poetry that sets the mood around my soul... Just before 1970, I saw "Porgy and Bess" at the theatre in the round in Shady Grove, Maryland. The theatre was enclosed in a huge old Canvas Circus Tent that had levels of seats inside going around. That evening people brought umbrellas because of a light rain that was worrisome. Halfway or more through the play it began to rain quite heavily... both on the shore of the beach in the Play, and also for real outside the Tent. Because the old circus Tent had holes of deterioration in the roof, people opened their umbrellas in their seats when the rain poured down. The Play was temporarily interrupted along with the music played by an orchestra. We had listed to sings like "Bess, you is my Woman" and Sport'in Life singing of Bess running away with him ... It was uncanny and surreal that there was thunder and lightening in the Play and 'for real' outside the theatre tent. (E... your poetry reads like a Play and you can hear the Jazz being sung). Many of us have had traumas in life that survive in a dramatic way. Life can be heart-wrenching.
Now we share our feelings and emphasize with love in our hearts. truly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

wow Pat! i am touched that this reading brought so many magical and heartfelt memories to you. i majored in music in the early seventies and one of our graduating requirements was to conduct the orchestra ..mine was a medley of songs from Porgy and Bess .. i remember it as tho today ;) that musical has its own very unique history too ..written by a white boy Gershwin' with settings in the deep south in Catfish Row ;) i wish i could have been there with you under that leaking tent ..what an experience ..wow! its funny you mention this poem becoming a play as i am taking a class that is on that connection ..this poem is the result of our first assignment ..i did make some small changes when i posted it here and will keep those as my official end product .. thank you so much for sharing ..i enjoyed your review very much
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

Wow! Your background is amazing. My grandson Ethan will be in high school this Fall. He has been in Babd for three years and plays the base Clarinet. Me. Patterson has been their teacher and conductor for three years. They have had two concerts each school year. One is always dedicated to the Veterans with a number of appropriate military pieces and songs like "My Country ''tis of thee" and so forth. Me. Patterson has instilled in the young people an attitude of challenges unlimited. Ethan's sister Madeline will be in fifth grade. We are providing a piano for their home this Fall and she wants to take piano lessons. Bravo for your endeavors and accomplishments in music... Mr. E, as well as poetry.

[Einstein Noodle]

and bravo to you and family for being an encouraging force in your children's and grandchildren's lives .. i have two daughters and two sons all of which were in band from 5th grade through high school .. my sons both have kept an interest in music and play guitars; but the discipline, camaraderie, competitive spirit and travel experiences they all had are invaluable .. i also have four grandchildren one who has also been in band since grade 5 ..she plays the violin and viola ..;) so nice to visit with you .. and know you a little better. :)

[KWP]

happy to read this one again - it really is a winner winner chicken dinner X

[Einstein Noodle]

i changed it here and there ... now i am hungry for chicken salad sandwiches .. yum! picnic at noon my dear?! ;)
E.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This was intense and I agree with Ken Simm. I don't know anything about those times, but I felt like I've been there while and after reading your poem! Powerful write! Tyfs!

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for reviewing Sir Cypian .. its so gratifying that it put you there .. your comments encourage me so be careful what you say ;)) thanks again my friend
E.