An ode to Greenwood Heights

nico

I was inspired. Be gentle on the rhyming.

Dear Greenwood Heights:

I thought I loved my old neighborhood
Now I realize, eh it was just “good”
Since I moved last year to dear Greenwood
(Heights, that is)

The neighbors themselves were the biggest shock
They’ve lived here forever; they care about the block
On street-cleaning day, when I double-park
They keep one eye on my car, the other on the clock

The houses are modest, the yards are green
Some of the best urban landscaping I have ever seen
The sidewalks and front yards are always clean
The mood of the place is quite serene

There are lots of families
But no FAMILIES
No tight-faced mothers overtaking the streets
Wielding huge strollers, trying to kill me

No, these parents and children are a delight
They say “excuse me;” they wait for the light
They hold hands and giggle, their smiles are bright
For kids from a city, they’re awfully polite

But I don’t have kids, so other things matter
Like eating and drinking and genial chatter
I have to admit I might be getting fatter
On tacos. TACOS, YUM! TACOS!
(ps nothing useful rhymes with tacos)

We also often tuck into EuroTrip
Solid booze and grub on the Eastern European tip
Adam’s Wines, please, you cannot skip
Great Polish vodkas; they’ll even give you a sip

Fifth Avenue is chock full of other great spots
Eagle Provisions, El Rincon, Guerrero, NON-STOP
(Discount that is.)
Bakeries, florists, bars, and a scattering of $.99 shops

There’s good stuff on 6th, but that’s a bit of a hike
For me anyway, so I take my bike
But I prefer downhill, there’s places I like
On seedy 3rd Avenue under the turnpike
(Ed.’s note: it’s actually an expressway)

Oh Rossman’s, the oasis ‘neath the BQE
Holy cow, these prices I can’t believe!
A huge box of strawberries: $1.50?
I defy you to drop more than a single twenty

(If you happen to catch a whiff of pee
Please, don’t take it personally
It’s just the goats across the street
At the neighborhood Halal butchery.)

At 33rd and 3rd, USPS Bush Terminal
Six teller windows; one open; often full
But despite the frustration it’s always quiet and dull
It’s the neighbors, I’m tellin’ ya! They’re wonderful!

Commercial bakeries seem to surround our home
Oftentimes when I am there alone
I am lucky to catch a whiff that has blown
Of a delicately rising blueberry scone

Have you seen Our Lady of Czestochowa-St Casimir?
Her beautiful turret soaring high in the air?
One of many beautiful local houses of prayer
Here for decades, giving hope and quelling despair

The water is close – try to get insurance for your home
Only a few realize this is a flood evacuation zone!
Yup, we’re the highest in the borough; it should be well-known
In case of high waters, or a real Brooklyn Cyclone

Of course, the local haunt that has me most impressed?
Our quiet neighbors immediately to the west
Green-Wood Cemetery, forever blessed
Rolling hills; amazing history; eternal rest.

Yup, Greenwood Heights is the place for us.
In my neighbors and community I do trust.
Hey! I’ll see you all later on the B63 bus.

frances la greca

Nico- Just beautiful! I have lived here all my life (54 years) and reading this made me really happy I never left the neighborhood.
Great writing!