KGCA Arts
 "Queens Rhapsody," performed June 4, 2006. Click image to enlarge. |
In December of last year, we introduced this poetry page with the hope that readers will send in their own works for our editors to look at and possibly select for publication. The editors reserve the right to make changes.
Send your own contributions to: contact@kewgardenscivic.org, or write to:
Poetry Editor, KGCA
105 82nd Road
Kew Gardens, NY 11415-1422
Birds in Flight: by Penny Cooper
approaching small park
too late for camera,
pigeons suddenly soaring
from the trees as one,
same direction, coasting,
wings still,
sailing with the wind,
wide turning together,
now wings black against the sky
synchronized finale: turning again,
gray wings flapping,
swooping down, scattering
I stand watching, awestruck,
grateful.
MY DARLING VALENTINE: by Teju C. Vaswani
my passion is but an ember
of sun or a fire long set
I cannot live and remember
so I love and forget
you say with a fretful tone
that my mourning is too short
you call me over forgetful
my God, if you really knew
BITTERSWEET CHILD: By Joyce H. Berger
So frail tainted youth,
So needy to touch.
I will hold you a while
In this covenant of convenience,
Bittersweet child.
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: By Morton Charney
at one time my parents
were living in dallas in a
senior residential complex.
whenever we would
visit them, we would
stay at my sister’s house.
occasionally we would
spend time with them at
the complex, having
meals in the dining
room, listen to lectures
and local entertainers.
the residents would
never appear in casual
clothing, the women
always in a dress and
their faces tastefully
made up, the men in at
least a nice pair
of slacks, shirt and tie.
always keeping up
appearances.
MELTING POT: By Sue Ehrlich
When I was a child
We knew of others
On our street.
We never interacted.
Except for Rudy,
The gypsy boy.
I kissed him once
Through a dish towel.
“Watch those germs,”
Papa always said.
A few weeks ago,
While waiting
For winter to arrive,
I greeted Videsh
From Trinidad,
Cecilia from Manila.
I came across a grandma
In a colorful sari,
Pushing her grandchild
In his pram.
I threw him a kiss!
A flavorful melting pot
To savor and treasure.
BIRTHDAYS: By Al Kornhauser
Did you ever think that in a remote way
You have a birthday every single day.
When today is finished, I will have been
28 thousand, eight hundred fourteen.
The ways to look at birthdays are countless.
Quoting from one birthday card in the store,
“Let this birthday bring to you happiness,
and may you look forward to many more.”
I heard of a ninety-year-old investor
Who bought a bond that would mature
In ten years. That’s what I call uncommon sense,
But at ninety he’s entitled to his confidence.
As I close, I would like to say
That although birthdays are a special day,
So, too, are all in the days in between.
Also, in your own special way,
Parade everything you are,
Forget what you might have been.
SANTA CLAUS
By: Al Kornhauser
A plump white-bearded and red-suited old man
in modern folklore who delivers presents
to good children at Christmas time.”
No mention here in Merriam Webster’s
Collegiate Dictionary about where
the presents are made, or how they’re delivered,
or specifically what being good, is.
Sufficient, to say, the worst of us qualified.
I did believe in Santa – although Jewish;
Of course, Jewish refers to me, not he.
I visualized him coming down the hill
On 169th Street from Park Avenue.
When I awakened early Christmas morning,
the proof that he existed was on the table
in the dining room – a bunch of gifts
neatly wrapped – and being an only child,
every gift on that table was for me.
I’ll never forget the joy of that moment,
What the gifts were, I can’t recall.
Having been charmed by Santa Claus,
I think it’s great for children to believe
that he exists. However, when on one site,
there are telephone calls from Santa on sale,
I think it’s pushing the envelope. It’s
not for me to say – if the call provides
the thrill of talking to Santa – why not?
Sooner or later, the magic fades, because
the grammar of reality uses a different clause.
FAME AND FAME
By: Teju Vaswani
As Queen Victoria's carriage
entered Westminster Abbey
a bomb burst
guards and horses panicked.
Scotland Yard discovered
a huge firecracker
in a drain nearby
were baffled till a phone call.
The caller apologized
profusely gave his name
to see it on front page.
He was so happy
when he came
to be arrested.
Crowds greeted him with cameras.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
By: Sue Ehrlich
Lou my husband was given to near fainting, actual fainting
Turning green and yellow, sometimes stark pale white
In parks, museums, restaurants, and all manner of stores.
One spring day, we dined in a Polish restaurant in Forest Hills.
Washed down the blini with champagne cocktails, enjoyed
Delicious rice pudding, drove home without incident.
Two hours later, walked to the local market, purchased a few items.
Lou grasped the checkout counter, color rushing from his face.
A brawny man behind sized up the situation.
Terrified as usual, I stood by almost immobilized.
The man said: "I'll drive you to the hospital.
Wait here. I'll get my car."
It was closing time. Our good Samaritan was unable to get back in.
Furiously banged on the door. Someone finally let him in.
He gently led my husband to his car.
"Perhaps we can just go home if he begins to feel better," I said.
We relaxed in his luxurious Lincoln sinking into the leather.
He patiently waited until we made our decision.
We passed on the hospital and thanked him profusely.
Many times in the next few months I searched the aisles.
Our good Samaritan was never seen again.
[Top of Page] [Home]