“A Brief Settlement of Affairs”

I say goodbye, so long, see you later,

to New York, the old, New city. 

City streets holler: “unbounded traitor” – 

  But, I reject your nascent pity. 

We must break-up, terminate, seek divorce:

  thank goodness for written prenups!

The time is now to change my course,

  a new life abroad I take-up.

We’ll divide our assets fifty-fifty

  to uphold New York State law codes.

Sadness tears at my insides — eyes misty, 

  I acquiesce to what you’re owed. 

Lamentably, you keep Prospect Park,

with its Cherry Blossoms in March.

I’ll miss strolling Flatbush Ave to embark

on quests past Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Arch.

Greenlight, McNally Jackson, and the Strand –

stewards of words and fictive worlds – 

Sadly, I leave without your books in hand;

your shelves stay stacked with pearls. 


I’ll leave your Wall Street Bros, picking stocks

for the rich. I’ll take my New York me:

The one who reveres your coffee shops

and devours all your bakeries. 

In summertime, when roaches fly, 

& whiffs of urine fester the air,

& the sidewalk trash is piled high,

even then, I’ll miss our love affair. 

You toughened me up – made me strong – 

your concrete pastures broke my teeth.

Fangs replaced them – sharp & long –  

to survive this city that never sleeps. 

For now, I must say farewell to all that;*

I departe for greener grazing. 

I’ll miss your skyline whenever I look at

the Stars – the way they’re always blazing. 

Works Cited

*Botton, Sari. Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York. Seal Press, Hachette Book Group, 2013. Print.