Teesta Review:
A Journal of Poetry, Volume 2, Number 1. May 2019. ISSN: 2581-7094
New Orleans My Kind of City
--- Joseph S. Spence, Sr.
Such an excellent, exquisite, and ever exciting city
Builders of this mighty city were wonderfully very witty
Once a bad flood came and made such a disaster
Many cried, stayed—fixed it with their tearful laughter
Residents coming back home with such a mighty rush
While others stayed and gave it a welcoming nice touch
Bourbon street, such a sweet place can never be beat
One always finds—succulent and deliciously great treats
300-years of cumulative celebrating and captivating culture
Independently, there exists situational striking subcultures
New Orleans, a wonderfully merry Mardi Gras jumping town
“Top Taco Fest!” People celebrating—from all around
Crawfish daddy, shrimps, alligator meat, get it on the go
Scrumptious eating, while watching, an awesome show
Gumbo, po-boy sandwiches, succulently steamed oysters
Creole and Cajun? —come get it at Courtyard Creators!
Enter, sit back, relax, while sipping an intoxicating taste
As they always say, “Not
one drop will go to waste”
Get a nice Vieux Carré at the splendid—French Quarters
With such laughter, leaving this city is a great disaster!
Chicago—The Windy City
--- Joseph S. Spence, Sr.
As a fan, all year long, it’s such a great team, the Chicago
Bears
When they play, many sits in chairs, full of great exciting cheers
At Shed aquarium, sea animals standing on their hands
Shows are so awesome; many children jump and danced
Chicago Bears’ great fans, sipping a beer can, down at Navy
Pier
Really love this lively and sizzling Chicago windy city
Great museums and shows for the mind and soul, just really
witty
Chicago wind, certainly freezing exposed and undressed toes
Clinging close to blazing heaters, many people will go
Sear Tower, misty when looking up, makes the eyes really
gritty
Write about the windy city at Christmas when it’s fully lit
Winter blues? warm the fingers with great gloves that fits
While in Chicago, take a boat ride on Lake Michigan
This is a wonderful inclusion as part of a travelling plan
Celebrating in the windy city, one ought to laugh and tick
Exciting architectural river cruise—many using their Muse
Celebrating with great jazz bands, setting one’s spirit loose
Recital of poetry, gets Chicago people on such a great high
Elevating them, really floating in the calming blue sky
Capturing the minds of others, cheering, “Oh me, Oh my!
Chicago, a celebrated city with such stimulating things to
always do
Such sights and fascinating fame, remove from the mind what’s
blue
Now, windy city, continue to live up to what others always write
Shining always, your great creative and beaming lights
Whenever I see you, my spirit is always inspired and shinning
bright!
New York City Evening Rain
--- Joseph S. Spence, Sr.
Dark clouds drifting over clustering New York City
Covering the blue skies, while congestion getting high
Traffic light changing from green, yellow to red
Yellow cab drivers blowing horns while zipping ahead
Subway moving overhead, clattering along, a humming song
While at home having to fixed dinner, wives silently waiting
Pineapple cake and nail polish gracious smelling
Evening life winding down in hustling New York City
Stopping at a fire hydrant, dragging me along—my dog!
Sniffing who, when, and why was there: now—gone!
Riot is the life in this urban city, however, it moves on
Flashing lightening, thunder cracking, now overhead
Slowly drifting, billowing dark clouds, moving around
Gushing, coming down from the once blues sky—rain
New York City urban life running reflecting red pain!
Suffocating Megalopolis City Attack
--- Joseph S. Spence, Sr.
Smog and fog lingering over the metrodome’s skyline
Feeling of cold chills running down one’s spine
People walking, coughing, not covering mouths, on the streets
Sticky stuff looming around the bottom of their feet
Breathing scents of fresh air, disappear—no longer there
Seeking a lung, are many, if one may have it to spare
Others carrying oxygen tanks, with straps, along their sides
Plastic breathing tubes in nostrils just keeping them alive
People, what will be next in this haunting smog city?
Hard earned tax dollars not being used at their best
Beating drums are politicians while others drinking rum
Citizens suffering, shuffling, moving on the run—no fun!
Set me free from all of this daunting and devastating delusion
Life is not worth any of this festering urban city confusion
Give me the valleys with beautiful green tropical trees
Mountains, fresh air and clear streams—are just great for me!