Would I choose to live
On a brownstone lined street
Nine limestone steps up to
My mahogany doored
Two room apartment
Crown moldings
Wood floors scored from ages of heels
My non-bedroom all purpose
Other room
My kitchen open to all conversation
My bedroom cozy
In summer
Its window air conditioner
Hums me to sleep
Blunts the sirens and voices
Winter radiators occasional clinking
All but unheard
My bathroom tub enamel patched
Its rubber plug replaced
Innumerable times
My view is internal
Not quite claustrophobic
I hang on the wall and
Place on shelves
Nick Knacks of memories
One corner
The wall filled with books
Floor to 12 foot ceiling height
Not forgetting the under-bed items
Space so precious
My full-sized ironing board
A luxury I require
The closet contains
Carefully chosen items based on style
And space
An overly large winter coat warm
And comfortable
No
An easily compressed down jacket
Perfect
Now go outside
Immediately you feel the space expanding
A world of engagement
People of all stripes
Within a two block walk
Babies in carriages
Older women walking
Assisted by walkers
Shopping bags hanging
From the crocks of their arms
Yarmulkes and hijabs
Baseball caps and Panama’s
Panhandlers and texting millennial’s
Jazz not just in the venues
The streets are jazzed
The energy is palpable
The noise comforting
The eye-candy of
Never ending movement
People cars train’s buses bikes skater’s joggers
People in waves
Some say New York is only enjoyable Spring and summer
Wrong
Winters have there own beauty
Walking through blizzards
The streets at sunrise
You’re in the snow globe
Everyone hates the slush that follows
But the joy of making the jump
Gratifying
Never are you want for anything
To do or see
I’ve been on my own
With the exception of an 18hr visit
For 22 days so make that 21
I’ve walked miles
I’ve been out every night
Heard 19 varied musicians
Seen two plays and 9 movies
Bought unneeded socks shirts shoes
My suitcase now undersized
This city is alive and its energy
Carries me on its shoulders
Each engaged moment
A tonic
