Across the six years I was living and working in New York I was most fortunate to harvest a rich vein of stories. So many stories...
My friend, Linda once shared a story about growing up in the city and enduring the somewhat oppressive summer nights.
That story became the focus of a poem I included in the 2016 anthology, 'I Bet There's No Broccoli On The Moon.'
Writers and poets are storytellers...
Summer Night Escape
On those long ago
Summer evenings,
The children of New York
Dragged their mattresses
Onto the fire escape
In search of
A zephyr
Of cool air
And a chance to dream.
No air con back then,
Just a sweat box
Apartment.
So they crept through
Open windows
Buoyed by hope
Of finding relief
Slumbering
Above the street.
Alan j Wright
It is yet again, Poetry Friday and our host on this occasion is Linda Mitchell at Another Word Edgewise
Linda presents a collection of quotes she hopes might springboard fresh poetic pearls from her readers.
Ooooh, a friend of mine drove up to NYC for a concert last night. It was HOT! I imagine there were a few people on rooftops even though air con exists now. What a beautiful poem with a perfect ending, "slumbering above the street." You remind me how much I love the sound of the word and the meaning of 'slumber." It's such a peaceful, cool sound and feel after the idea of being too sweaty! I need to tuck this word into a poem soon.
ReplyDeleteThe NYC summers were oppressive. The concrete canyons were unforgiving. I wish you every success with the word slumber, Linda.
DeleteNot only in the city in my memory, Alan. Even in a small town in the US, we dragged mattresses to a big porch, at one grandmother's home, & I don't remember why we weren't worried about the insects! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteA common occurence it seems, Linda. Mosquitoes and midges are something of a hazard though.
DeleteOh yes, the oppressive summer heat! I truly cannot imagine life without A/C! thanks for your poem...and yes to poets being storytellers!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irene. Looking back at my own childhood no A/C was available. Our houses were sweat boxes.
DeleteAlan, your poem just perfectly captures summer in the city! Love the "dragging their mattresses/Onto the fire escape." Your photo is amazing, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mona. Glad you enjoyed the poem and the image. While living in NYC photography was a constant indulgence.
DeleteHow I lived for a "zephyr/of cool air" during Arizona summers!
ReplyDeleteSo many of us know that feeling, Patricia. My world for a zephyr... I can but imagine Arizona summers.
DeleteAlan, your poem reminds me of childhood stories my husband told me about Brooklyn. The windows and steel ladders are picturesque reminders of yesteryear. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. Those stories have enduring qualities.
DeleteAlan, I can envision the scenario you present with the mattresses and slumbering children on the fire escape in NYC. My favorite part of your poem is the hope for a zephyr of a cool breeze.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. I was fortunate that my friend relayed the story with such vivid imagery.
DeleteWhat strong images...hoping to see the zephyr...and the cool air. I loved nights outside in the summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jone. Summer nights outdoors hold special memories for me too.
DeleteMy husband has talked about his parents dragging mattresses outside during hot Nebraska summers. One does what one must in order to slumber. :) Love the poem, Alan, especially, "buoyed by hope."
ReplyDeleteThe dragging of mattresses in summer appears to be a practice for more of us than one might have initially thought, Karen. The pursuit of blissful slumber is eternal. Glad you enjoyed the poem.
DeleteSo many rich passages in your poem Alan, "A zephyr/Of cool air/And a chance to dream." You take us right there "Slumbering/Above the street." Lovely, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. Your comments are most affirming.
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