New York at 42

Twenty-five years later New York
and I’m still in love with you
like the husband I’ve never had
who is patient and tends to me
and is beautiful

I see the friends I love in you New York
and smell our home cooked meals
taste our arroz con gandules
our sushi and chicken korma
our tortellini and crème caramels

And hear the many tongues
that describe what you are
New York City

Your pedestrian-ridden streets
of men on Washington Heights corners
whistling daily at women going by
of frenzied Herald Square shoppers
and Soho’s privileged class

And hear the many intricate songs
of birds flying in Central Park
New York City
the songs of those
migrating over your rivers

Grateful for all that you are
for years of lessons
learned In Harlem and Morningside
for the memories you gave
a naïve young girl
New York City
Of the massive beauty
of your stacked skyline