Our resident poet, Joseph P. Martino of Millburn, New Jersey is back again! This time, Mr. Martino writes a poetic verse about the city of my birth, New York City! Sit back, relax, and enjoy – New York City I Must Say.

“I have traveled far and wide but could never stay
Away for very long before feeling this yearning
Buried deep inside my soul to return to the city of
My birth, the greatest place on earth. I’m as driven
To return home as a lemming jumping off a clift,
If you get my drift.
Or a salmon swimming upstream, back to, and as fast
As possible to my beloved city by the bay.
New York City I must say.

Where else could I ride the Staten Island ferry?
Or take a breezy walk across the Brooklyn Bridge?
Visit the statue of liberty, when downtown?
The worlds symbol of freedom and liberty standing
Watch high over the harbor, elegantly dressed in her
Flowing robes torch and crown.
Where could I walk from Battery Park via Broadway’s
Canyon of heroes?
Stop off at wall street and city hall?
Eat all my favorite foods in Chinatown and little Italy,
And walk away full, but never guilty?
What a lovely way to spend a day
New York City I must say.

Where could I buy a knish or a special dish anytime
of day? Enjoy a walk through soho, the village any
“Greenwich time” of day?
Browsing and buying is an art form here, from highbrow
Galleries to vendors various works of art. talented
Artisans selling on sidewalk stands and stalls each
And every day.
New York City I must say.

The empire state building is a storied structure in more
way than one. Sitting atop 34th. street where could you go for the
Heights and see all the visionary sights in a day?
Attend an opera, ballet, recital or a play?
Walk across 42nd.street, the crosswalk of the world?
Head north up Broadway, Or as we new Yorkers refer
To as “the great white way.”
New York City I must say.

Where else could I stroll side by side, across town, up and down?
And all around the world two greatest Mecca’s of shopping in the world?
Madison and fifth, what two great streets to buy a gift!
Where else could you enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral To
Give thanks and pray?
New York City I must say.

Where could you walk, visit and attend Carnegie hall, central
Park, Columbus circle, Lincoln center and 72nd. street and the
Upper west side all in a day or two?
All just a walk or ride away. Now you know and maybe understand
This compulsion to quickly return to this great city,
When away?
For you see I have the worlds right here at my home and doorstep.
A magical city-world where everything and anything of value
And worth in this world is only a short walk, bus, taxi or
Subway ride away!
New York City I must say.”

Copyright Joseph P.Martino 2006

Thank you again to Mr. Martino for his poetic contributions to JerseySmarts.com!