Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

The City That Never Sleeps

I live in “the city that never sleeps”
But now I can attest
To the fact that for the first time
It’s been forced to take a rest.

The restaurants and corner stores
Are shuttered or, at best,
Allowing business to proceed
With hours quite repressed.

The famous subways always ran,
As you have likely guessed,
All day and night so no one’s
Travel had to be suppressed.

But now they’ll disinfect the trains
At City Hall’s request
From 1 – 5 a.m.; all those
Still on will face arrest.

Pandemics put the world on hold;
We’ve seen that manifest
Yet to see my city sleeping
Can’t help making me depressed.

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Maurice Rigoler May 6, 2020 at 3:06 PM I am especially sensitive to noise, all kinds! I'd go mad living in New York! I crave silence like I crave certain foods at times. Summer will be very quiet in my town this year. All outdoor activities – concerts, art festivals, the July 4th pyrotechnic display, the public beaches, and the traditional Shakespeare in the Park play have all been banned. Devastating for businesses, of course. I won't mind. / M

Rico Leffanta May 4, 2020 at 1:49 PM And they same time passes too fast for the elderly! 2020 will only be a glitch in your memory banks in the years to come, so don't fret about it. Every day is still a new adventure - if that is how you greet it! Aloha! Rico

Caren Krutsinger May 4, 2020 at 6:31 AM This must seem like the Twilight Zone; I cannot imagine the non-activity on the street!

Gershon Wolf May 3, 2020 at 8:31 PM Ha! I remember my last hotel stay in New York, how I was awakened by the beep beeps and other noises of GARBAGE TRUCKS backing up at 2:00 a.m. Gawd!... Sleep, NYC, sleep for a bit! :) gw

Gordon Mcconnell May 3, 2020 at 3:28 PM Fine write ilene, good penning with lovely rhyme. Indeed will be good when we're back to normality but kind of normality will it be? Blessings, Gordon

Jan Allison May 3, 2020 at 2:16 PM Living on a tiny Island I can only begin to imagine how lock down has impacted on the life of new yorkers in the city that never sleeps - hope you don't get too down Ilene we are all in the same boat - I miss not seeing friends and mum but you are so lucky that you can face time and actually see your grand kids I can't do it with mum:-( lets hope it wont be too long before we can see them again:-) hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham May 3, 2020 at 2:14 PM Hopefully in the coming weeks we might see a bit of normality. We certainly need it. Can't imagine New York asleep. Stay safe Tom

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart May 3, 2020 at 2:09 PM It must be SO eerie! I'm in a city that does sleep (say the bigger cities) and drone views of it empty is weird enough, I can't imagine New York for New Yorkers. xomo