New York sucked me into its pavement
Until I became gray and stony too
With it’s constant humming background
Irritating and hypnotic like a Hoover vacuum
Began feeling less like me and more like living scenery
I could move without moving anyone to me
Clustered in I couldn’t get them to move away
I couldn’t get any space to breathe and I was so fucking lonely
I couldn’t recognize a “me” in any crowd
I know which fork to use
But all I heard is you’re eating European backwards
Failing to ask if I was left handed
Everyone is edgy hip and hyped up
Turning my type Q personality into an A as well.
Curt talk from store clerks while I bought their overpriced noodles
And they acted like they were doing me a favor
Maybe they did
I left the sour apple
One less worm I suppose
Fresh air and space to move
You know why Midwest people are bigger, taller?
Because we have the room to be
No cramping in, no sardine-ry
Maybe the growing weeds are really prairie flowers
But New York won’t admit to that
If it’s the greatest city in the world
Why the hard sell
Wanda Swim Strunk
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/new-york-sucks/
