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Open Poetry #46
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JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America

0 posted 2010-12-28 10:42 PM


I wasn't surprised
to see the beast of New York City
clawing at my soul
I'd been to the asphalt jungle
in my mind
knew it to be corrupt
it was
Forty-Second Street
Sodom & Gomorrah in the flesh
you betcha
reason it didn't scare me
I was ready for it
I'd fled worse demons
than New York City had for me
those were physical, lustful and perverted
ones I fled from were
mental for the most part
show me your corruption New York City
I welcomed it
pizza 25₵ a slice
peek shows 25₵ a peek
hookers on parade
rubbing shoulders with stars
over on Broadway
New York! whatta place
new wore off
didja see Midnight Cowboy
yeah
street devours people
Ratso prime example
not me
I was devoured before I got there
like the Midnight Cowboy
expected New York
to be my saving grace
hah!
so I took a page out of
The Wandering Jew
and wandered
and wandered
and . . .
down and out and alone
in a city of millions
hungry, cold
cold and hungry
there is a difference
learned streets smarts
how to get by
playing to my one advantage
youth
and attitude
Jimmy Dean swagger
a bit of
solipsistic crude
homeless when homeless wasn’t cool
managed to wed three wives
the last one took
I finally found my niche
stopped running long enough
to write
My Mother's Revenge
twelve books later
still writing
remembering the mean streets
they influenced me and how I take to things
tend to be gruff
would I do things differently
if I could
damn straight I would

To mimic is a form of praise unless
you have no thoughts of your own

© Copyright 2010 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
1 posted 2010-12-29 12:29 PM


You led a life I would not understand.I was a naive young thing. Always glad I married so young.It was the best life I knew. Raising a family and making our way together. An idealic life. latearrival  
Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
2 posted 2010-12-29 01:02 AM


Never been to the Big Apple. I've run around Los Angeles and Detroit a time or two, but I don't think they really compare. Your writing here reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Harlan Ellison. That's saying something for me. Enjoyed. Peace.
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2010-12-29 06:12 AM


Powerful write about the life you choose to live. Not an easy path, but challenges of this kind enrich and allow greater compassion towards our neighbours and greater insight in human nature.

Impressive.

Love,
Margherita

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
4 posted 2010-12-29 07:09 AM


cool tunes JP..can see the fabric in this one.

the best thing I ever did in NY was leave...same with DC an some others..guess the scars they left gave me targets for new tattoos though.  

JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
5 posted 2010-12-29 08:03 AM


Nothing wrong with being a naive young thing, latearrival. I was also, but the streets soon cured that. Sometimes people run to the extreme when they run from their background and themselves. That's my only excuse.

<><><><>

For sure, Margherita, the life I led for a a few decades was kinda a running from life thing. I did come away from it understand a lot more about certain social actives than Harvard professors.

<><><><>

Yep, Andrew, all the cities are the same they will grind you into the asphalt if you allow it.

<><><><>

Thanks, daark for understand that I wasn't writing this merely for shock, or for sympathy, just writing about a huge segment in my life that should have been done differently.

To mimic is a form of praise unless
you have no thoughts of your own

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
6 posted 2010-12-29 01:02 PM


Never had a desire to go to the big apple-too scary.  I admire your guts to go however misguided they may have been at the time.
Lori

JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
7 posted 2010-12-29 01:05 PM


Ah, young and foolish perhaps, Lori, but I learned some hard lessons. Thanks for stopping by.

To mimic is a form of praise unless
you have no thoughts of your own

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
8 posted 2010-12-29 05:44 PM


So much insight into you...great view JP! maybe not always pretty but the intensity takes on a life of it's own.

Nice slices, each and every one!


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2010-12-29 05:50 PM


Jerry...I've never been to NY, though I've wanted to see the streets cutting through buildings and the people flow; the sound of mad traffic and cold wind and the clink of a glass from the pub at the end.  I think you just took me there...thanks!
JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
10 posted 2010-12-29 05:51 PM


I appreciate your kind, and honest comments, Blues. It means much to me.

To mimic is a form of praise unless
you have no thoughts of your own

JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
11 posted 2010-12-29 05:54 PM


Thanks, Martie. I had some tough times in New York, but I couldn't help but love the damn place. I am sure I would hate it now, but times are different, I don't have the energy that city requires for survival. Two of my children were born there, and that makes it a special place.

To mimic is a form of praise unless
you have no thoughts of your own

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