Missing New York City

It might not be a small town, but my hometown, beats them all. Just have to close my eyes and see it all before me, because no matter how far I roam, New York City will always be home. I see neon in my mind, the bright, shiny lights of Times Square, the busy, teeming streets of Broadway, always want someone to give my regards to them for me. I see the skyscrapers and the stores, the traffic’s blaring horns, the people rushing to and fro. til they have nowhere to go.

The subway way down under, rattling away in the dark. suddenly bright light as the train comes up out of the tunnel, crossing the Manhattan Bridge, Oh, what a sight with the sun gleaming off the skyscrapers, looking very much like a magical city, with diamonds glistening upon the river below. Everywhere you look my hometown is a delight from Manhattan to Brooklyn, to Bay Ridge where I was born.

The cleaner, fresher air, an easier way of life, I long for walks along the water’s edge, Manhattan skyscrapers looming in the distance. But the best of all are the seasons when the city changes day by day. I see the little girl I was, with dad in the park, running through the fallen leaves in the autumn, picking acorns by the dozen.

Wintertime brings smiles to me to see a little girl in a red snowsuit, Dad would help and down the little hills in Owls Head Park, I would go. But the best of memories is dad and I building a snowman as the day quickly faded away. We had to build him fat and tall and running home in the dark would not do at all. Once done, there he stood, this man of snow, just inside the park gates to greet all who walked by.

What can I say about the spring and the joy of it all? The blooming flowers, the trees sprouting green leaves. Walking with dad, clutching wildflowers in one chubby hand for mom's first spring bouquet. Summers were for chasing butterflies, playing ball and blind's man bluff high up on a hill where breezes blew, with dad and me laughing in glee. It might not have been a small town but it was all mine and I loved it so fine.

Then childhood joys left behind it was Manhattan I loved to explore. I miss those busy streets, miles and miles of shining pavement, millions of windows, glistening in the sun. Nightclubs and bars for fun, walking through the parks, on hot summer days, water fountains galore, picnics on the grass, concerts in Central Park. Sidewalk cafes, grabbing food from the carts, people shouting, action all about, some say the city is crazy, but I say it's like being in a carnival every day.

Out on Long Island people live differently, the suburbs have a small-town feel, but after visiting for a while, back to the city I would stray. When not in Manhattan, on a clear, summer's day, Brookly provided thrills and chills, to Coney Island I would go. Amusement rides just for fun, on the beach running in the sun, the smells of cotton candy, hot dogs, and more. It was a world that made me feel like Alice in her wonderland. So many choices, so many things to do and even though it was not a small town, everyone who knew, lived in and loved New York could be considered a neighbor and a friend.

Tripping the light fantastic, along the sidewalks of New York, never missing a beat, knowing this city is mine. Miss those sunrises, as the sun’s rays spread over the building tops, walks along the East and Hudson Rivers, wish I could see it all again once more because it’s New York City that I adore.