I Am A New Yorker (poem) by Donna Maris on AuthorsDen

I Am A New Yorker
by Donna Maris → (All Poetry by Donna Maris)
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 Rated "G" by the Author.

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This is the ORIGINAL "New Yorker" poem- written within days of 9-11 and published by the New Colonist. You may see "versions" of this poem- however they are hacked versions of my work.

I am a Native New Yorker. I was raised on hot roasting chestnuts and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. New Years Eve in Times Square. Strolling Little Italy & the San Gennaro Festival. The Spectacular views, & Broadway Theatres. The Rockettes & Radio City Music Hall. Wollman Rink & the Coca Cola Concert Series, Central Park with its magnificent views. Alice In Wonderland Statues and Ice Skating at Rockefeller Plaza. The United Nations & St. Patricks Cathedral. Museums of Natural History & Modern Art. Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House. Hansom Carriages across from the Plaza Hotel Bloomingdales and Madison Square Garden. Home of both the Championship NY Yankees & Mets. Windows on the World as it existed in the WTC. My college graduation dinner occured there. Its breathtaking views swept you away. Simply No Place Like NEW YORK at Night!. Embracing waterviews of the South Street Seaport. Jones Beach & Amphitheater (more concerts), the L.I. Sound and Robert Moses and Coney Island. I know that "THE END" means Montauk. These are my favorite haunts, I am a New Yorker. Taxis, noise and endless subway maps dont rattle me. Phrases like: "Are you talkin to me?" "Do you know which way is ?" & "Get outta Heahhere!" are everyday chants. Every New Yorker knows them. I LOVE being a New Yorker. It means you're from the East coast and East coast girls are hip, I once heard in a song. I was raised on cultural diversity Before it was politically correct. I nosh on Italian, Irish, Greek, & Thai food, Chinese, German, & Middle Eastern foods, Because they have always been American to me. New Yorkers are Patriots. The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty resonate within our hearts & souls. Always happy upon glimpsing that famous Lady of Liberty in our Harbor, Relieved, we know we are home. Home of the Free and The Brave. I am a New Yorker and Proud of it. I am misunderstood by others who have never traveled here. Those who love to visit & play here enjoy our boundless energy and our streets, which until 9/11, were safe havens. My friends & family work in the industries & businesses that drive Wall Street. New York streets once were believed to be paved golden, and many have lived that Dream. Many times its been said: "Only In New York is that possible..." I am a New Yorker, and I feel the pain of a City struck down in hate & anger. I mourn the loss of my beautiful skyline. I think as all do, that New York will never be the same. But then I remember: New York is RESILIENT. I am a New Yorker; my heart pulses compassion and our generosity is unlimited. Tenacity, strength and courage are way above norm. Compassionate hearts that only few realized. Caring for those less fortunate. Mayor Giuliani held our hands and lent us hope. He restored a waning faith and trust. He epitomized publicly every New Yorkers pride. Pride in this City, in who we are; Exemplifying strength and courage, love and compassion, while staring down the face of adversity, chaos, & tragedy. Uniting us in Faith--no matter our religions. Terrorists hit America in HER Heart. New York's heart, unflinching, beats strong! Twin Towers now refer to NY Police & Firemen united in Bravery. Our Most Beloved Died Here, valiantly saving Lives. The ruins of demolished steel that was, is untouchable to the steely patriotism of our Souls, and a Backbone so tough, we named it WALL STREET. Kick us, Bomb us and Attack US. We'll turn our misery into Fortunes, We will Achieve it Defiantly Waving our Flags. We are Not bitter, only Embattled. We are not warmongers, only Defensive. WE are AMERICANS and Proud to be New Yorkers. Because We are New Yorkers, Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are-- You can Take US out of New York, but you can never ever take New York from US. We live in every state, and city, large & small. We live across the oceans, although Countries or Continents may divide us, Our Hearts and Souls are United Ever More. Because WE ARE ONE PEOPLE. We Are Freedoms Fighters. WE ARE NEW YORKERS. Never abandon Her Beauty, Creativity and Diversity That Everday Transforms this City named New York. She Is Much Too Glorious, even now. I AM A PROUD AMERICAN, A NATIVE NEW YORKER. REMEMBER THE WTC. MAY YOU REST PEACEFULLY. THEIR MEMORIES BREATHE DEEPLY INSIDE OUR SOULS AND HEARTS. I AM A NEW YORKER -- Come to think of it -- you are too. 2001 Copyright (C) Donna M Maris All Rights Reserved

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on August 20, 2015

I have not read your poem before, so I'm glad that you posted it here for us. You certainly have epitomized all that it means to be from New York City. My cousin married a New Yorker, so, for a brief time, and during other visits, I've had a taste of what New York City has to offer and it is, awesome.

As for the World Trade Center disaster, it touched us all, as Americans, but reached those in the city, like you, most of all. I wrote a novel, War's End, as a result of my experience.

Your last line does ring true for me because I go to Times Square every morning for the daily news and through media have been to every part of the city many many times, breathing it all in like the time I viewed the harbor through inside Miss Liberty's crown with stair railings worn shiny brass smooth from countless hands of countless origins on a warm, beautiful day before Thanksgiving.

Ron

Reviewed by John Domino

I am a native New Yorker. Your poem strikes at the heart. As you said,
"You can Take US out of New York, but
you can never ever take New York from US."
I am also Italian and I have strong ties to my Mother country even though I was not born there.

GREAT POEM! BRAVO DONNA!!!

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Reviewed on August 19, 2015

Hah! I'm a hillbilly, but married up to a New York gal. Lived in Manhattan in the seventies, Flushing and Lynbrook, L.I. in the eighties. Loved, LOVED New York. The food, Matzo Balls, pizza by the slice . . . EVERYTHING!