To New York

Dedicated to the city I was born in, and why I left it.

I'm sorry but I could never love you now
After I have seen your true colors and
Your wrath which others mark up as your glory;
They spew that they are stronger, able to
Take the scrutiny you expose upon
Your residents, like some disastrous plague,
But it is no real pleasure to survive
The disease if you're still subject to the symptoms,
And this is why I have moved away.

I walk amidst the streets of Manhattan
Past a quarry of ducks you call your own,
Business men, ducks in suits, quacking away
With profanity and judgment of their
Peers; they sure are superior, they think.
And in a dive on 53rd Street, I
Vanish into insignificance as one
Duck flies in for his feeding, alcohol
In a "dress shirt" by Ed Hardy and shoes
By Louis Vitton, a walking rap song!
To me, he is comical in his skin.

But now that I am gone, I see you
In the faces of the others out here,
They long to be amongst the ducks
Soaring through what they consider endless skies,
And I don't have the courage to say its
All a lie! For your ducks cannot fly high,
They don't wish to; they live beside a lake
That's more plentiful than anywhere else,
But they only assume this because they
Have never really left! But I have now,
And your ignorance, to me, is comical.

Author's Note

Definitely not a finished product but I just wanted to get this one up. PS, if you have never been to New York, A New York accent has been compared to a duck's quack...hope that helps the imagery. Let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Clarisse Nanoit]

I love this also! You are very talented. Your metaphor here is quite interesting, and it works well. Maybe all they really want to be is geese, but deep down they know they are inadequate. This reminds me of a theme of Catcher In The Rye--if you've never read it you should--where Holden Caulfield asks random people throughout the book where the ducks from the pond in Central Park go when the pond is frozen. Interesting, if not intentional, parallel. Great piece!
KH

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

I lived at 4th and Astor for 8 years when I was very young~ once I left I NEVER went back except for quick day trips as required by my job~ or to see performers I REALLLY liked~
perfect metaphor!~

I'd say New York is bittersweet.
especially Time's Square. I think it's only pretty, and it's only really RIGHT at night, but it's also the most beautiful sight in the world to me.

[jayfray]

This poem is very nice. That being said I'm a new yorker so screw you! XP

[jenniewren (J.W. Bouwma..]

this feels .. well, in a word, EPIC. it is an amazing angle on the city that never sleeps. and yet it is also applicable to anyone who leaves a place they've called home for all their lives and comes back a changed human.
so many of your images were on point, and the presentation has a feel.. of.. hm. maybe f. scott fitzgerald? it feels sort like period writing.. yet the surroundings are today's modernity.. and yet.. in some ways, are timeless, as well

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

Have been there many times over the years - since I was 21...this reminds me of some lyrics by a band called Marcy Playground in which they state: 'One little, two little idiots all dressed up in suit and tie. One little, two little idiots all dressed up to die.' Saw them in concert - what a treat - Rocking poem too!
Light,
Siddartha

[Robin]

a mass of humanity consumes the individual so much that some resort to , indeed , comical ways to show their individuality , good you escaped ... great writing .

[Nobody.]

Beautifully written. The rage vibrates through every syllable. I think it's a hell of a poem just as it is. Well done sir. Cheers!

[theunionisloud]

I've never been to New York, but I do have a friend out there who does believe it's The Place to be. You definitely captured the attitude of new york pride and twisted it into something more-or-less disgusting. I love the city, but this piece promotes tolerance, which is something I can absolutely stand up for. Great job.

I've never been to New York, but I'm always amazed at the awareness and worldly air of New Yorkers. This captures that brilliantly.

[Jennifer Lenhardt]

i have only been to New York once, and briefly, one evening where I had dessert at the top of the World's Trade Center, and dessert is definitely not enough to get a true taste of a city. i liked this though, Mike, I like your take on it, what it was like for you living there. it seems like you saw behind an illusion and i think you've done an excellent job with this piece at pulling back that curtain. nicely done!