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On Hollywood Boulevard

On Hollywood Boulevard

Grohman’s Chinese theater, The Walk Of Fame
Awestruck, frantic crowds tromp down the street
A swirl of accents divulge from whence they came
Myth and stark truth clash but rarely meet

A boulevard of tinsel, tourist mecca anointed
Foreign visitors now the sole true attraction
All a hyped-up charade, but no disappointment
Quiet on the set, lights cameras, action!

Remove tourists, hustlers, the Marilyn Museum
Costumed crusaders and peddlers of kitsch
And Hollywood is now just a mausoleum
To a cinematic history dynamic and rich

Just one district out of L.A.’s forty-two
Multi-ethnic, working class, urban blight
Yet in the hearts of dreamers passing through
It remains the movie land of sheer delight

8/1/22
6th Place
A Brian Strand Premiere Choice Contest

Copyright © Robert Gorelick | Year Posted 2022

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Silpika Kalita Date: 8/13/2022 9:01:00 PM Congratulations Robert on the epoch-making components for sharing the golden moments of an immortal era. Spectacular... Greetings Login to Reply

Panagiota Romios Date: 8/5/2022 9:22:00 AM Greetings, Robert! Congratulations A masterpiece for the Strand Contest. I lived in LA, when my daughter was a wee thing! It’s quite a place. The golden days of Cinema were beyond comparison.i enjoyed my days and nights there. Panagiota Login to Reply Robert Gorelick Date: 8/13/2022 11:42:00 AM I appreciate the nice comment and for sharing your pleasant memory! Robert

Len Gasun Date: 8/5/2022 7:13:00 AM Excellent write and very informative my dear friend Robert. Makes me wants to pursue my dream to visit USA in the future to see one of those places. Congratulations on your win! I enjoyed reading your poem this evening. Thanks a lot for sharing! God bless. Hugs Login to Reply Robert Gorelick Date: 8/13/2022 11:44:00 AM I hope you get the chance to visit. Thailand was my favorite port, when in the US Navy. Wonderful place and people! Thank you, Len. Robert

I Am Anaya Date: 8/4/2022 9:54:00 AM My stomping grounds, I enjoy the neighborhood. The real Hollywood Boulevard. Although 75% increase in homicides and a 35.6% -- while robbery has gone up by 19.4% and theft by 24.7%. "If you plan to come to Hollywood to commit crime, you are not welcome. All Angelenos should feel safe where they live and work. You are spot on Robert with your winning write, Congratulations! Login to Reply Robert Gorelick Date: 8/13/2022 11:48:00 AM Thanks for the congratulations and informative comment. You are right we have the same problems as every major city in America! Robert

Michael Tor Date: 8/4/2022 8:04:00 AM Your perspective Robert is one that people don't realize but it is so true. Excellent theme and congratulations on your win. It reflects the truth and critical thinking that went into writing this marvelous piece exposing the glitz and glamour... Login to Reply Robert Gorelick Date: 8/13/2022 11:52:00 AM Thank you, for your congratulations and your thoughtful comments! Robert

Sam Kauffman Date: 8/3/2022 11:19:00 AM Robert, you have perfectly described this avenue of dreams and the duality that exists there. Love your image of the "mausoleum" and worship that happens in that mausoleum. Have spent many days in LA with my programs. You are so right when you say they are many LA's! Congratulations on your win with this sparkling poem. Blessings! Login to Reply Robert Gorelick Date: 8/13/2022 11:58:00 AM I see that you have developed a keen insight into the grittier aspect of tinsel town! Most appreciative of your congrats and generous comments! Blessings, Robert

Harry Horsman Date: 8/1/2022 8:19:00 PM A poem, with a learning curve, Robert. love it. Login to Reply Robert Gorelick Date: 8/1/2022 8:31:00 PM Most people who do not live in Hollywood, Ca. think it is only about the movie business and celebrities. The reality is it's a working-class neighborhood that isn't terribly glamourous. Glad you enjoyed and found it informative, Harry.

Pashang Salehi Date: 8/1/2022 7:11:00 PM First of all, there are not 42 districts in Los Angeles. It starts from the 23rd district in Lancaster And then it goes all the way to 44 which is Carson, Compton, and part of Los Angeles and there is also 47 which is Avalon and part of Long Beach. Getting back to Hollywood, The ladder of success in Hollywood is usually a press agent, and knowing somebody that knows somebody, if you are a woman and you are cute there are other options. Crude, but true. It is the tinsel town... Login to Reply Pashang Salehi Date: 8/1/2022 11:11:00 PM Robert, look for me, I am the old guy walking with a cane... Robert Gorelick Date: 8/1/2022 7:34:00 PM I know a little about my neighborhood. Hollywood is one of the many districts in the city of L.A. It is not a city unto itself. Agents and press agents are just a very small part of what transpires in my neighborhood. Beverly Hills is it's own city, bet you didn't know that. Thanks for your input. What does Lancaster and Long Beach have to do with the city of Los Angeles. An area can't be a city and a district at the same time.