my neighbors settle cracked tenement steps
those prices are to steep at the bar
quenching thirst forty ounces at a time
while police ticket double parked cars
they whistle at the girls walking by
dream drunken delusions of getting honey
crowding the mailman for welfare checks
they're always asking to borrow money
toothless Pedro was a former babe magnet
back in high school he was so cool
racy rebel crowned latin lothario legend
twenty years later he's a drunken fool
my neighbors rarely leave our four corners
horn harmony honks crowded streets
dreaming of one day going to the mall
in afflicted alleys low expectations meet
sleeping all day calls carousel at night
immaculate inertia inspiring indifference
my putrid ambitions borrowed their beliefs
parading polluted pride's utter nonsense
Author notes
this is a memory of where I grew up...52nd steet in a place called west new york...sometimes I drive by and see the same people hanging out on the same corner...i think it might be the worst thing i ever wrote...but i decided to enter it anyway.lol
A contest entry
- ~~ MY NEIGHBORS ~~ by Melodies.
450 points, ended April 2, 2007, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Apparently
No one agreed with you that it was your worst, and I agree with them...a pure slice out of the life of folks from all over the world. A captured photograph.
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prices are too steep! ah sleeping all day, i wish i could do that and sleep all night lol fifty second st, sounds like a fun place
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i thought this was fantastic; you gave me a real insight into what kind of neighbourhood you grew up in! Full of great imagery and an edginess that only you can pull off! Excellent job! I loved this piece!
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Wouldn't want all that craziness for neighbors,You have painted the neighborhood and the neighbors very clearly.The visual is amazing
See the muse woke up
Blessings
~Cheryl~
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This is not your worst write....funny how things are from your own perspective and how it looks from an outsiders point of view...All of us have "our corner" no matter how old, young, economic class, nationality, its always a familiar place, a nook/cranny in this busy, crazy world....Good job, good luck!
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It isn't bad, yous just too hard on your own stuff. You describe the life seen pretty well, goodvisuals and such. Suprised me a bit to see rhymes with you, but it worked pretty well and had a good flow. :3
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Papi...I have my own memories of NYC and believe me, they match yours...I stayed in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, for all of a month on 50th street, then Bayridge on 74th and 11th avenue, and finally on York and 1st ave in Manhattan. OOOh, forgot, I lived in the Bronx, too, on off Allerton Ave...wow, now that I think of it, I got around
ha Lane
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As usual, your writes have their own rhythm, a strong flow - edgy yet poignant. I admire that about your works!
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This is a cool picture you have painted for us here... vividly powerful also. You manage to fit so much detail into your writes... i find this one very Inspiring. Well done mate... Exellent.
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Admiring this poem so much!!
Thanking you, fine poet, for bringing this poem to our neighborly contest!
It is my great pleasure to enjoy your talent and appreciate the memories you experienced when you wrote this splendid poem! 
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