Gary Radice Poet Monorhyme

Notes About The Poem

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Published: 12th September 2021

Image: Franz Bachinger from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "A STRAND (1044)" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 30th January February 2022)

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The Lovers of New York

the rain that drowned the sidewalks
dampened down the night-time heat
creating steam through manholes
from the pipes beneath the street

and set against this backdrop
of a vibrant city beat
swarms of taxis stung the air
with horns stuck on repeat

as a writer sipping coffee
staring from a café seat
wrote words for her 'bestseller'
based on when two people cheat..

"..married strangers and a storm..
arranged a covert meet..
..ran towards each other
in a way such lovers greet..

they kissed beneath umbrellas 
in a manner so discreet
then stepped inside a restaurant
to flirt, laugh, love and eat

her big blue eyes melted his heart
her smile was wide and sweet
and he was rich, tall, cool and calm 
and swept her off her feet..."

...but before the lovers' story
made it to another sheet
the writer came to from her thoughts
with the chapter incomplete

her big blue eyes and sweet wide smile
felt somewhat obsolete
on the poor, tall, cool, calm waiter who
brought change with her receipt.

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Sara Kendrick December 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM Congrats on your work placing in this contest. Way to go. Sara K Gary Radice December 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM Thanks Sara! :) Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley August 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM Dear Gary, it is a pleasure to return and re-read this exceptional poem. I still adore this poem. Your imagery still feels fresh, vibrant, and I was, and still am struck by this vivid line "swarms of taxis stung the air/with horns stuck on repeat" - amazing! Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan Gary Radice August 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM Thank you Susan. I'm honoured by your return and valued comments. I'm behind in my own commenting on others' poems at the moment but hope to catch up next week. Read you soon and look forward to it. :). Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney August 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM Gary, I love your clever story with a twist. A brilliant write! Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 9 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 10 has already started. Gary Radice August 23, 2025 at 5:59 AM Thanks Mark. Running out of breath (poems) but still in there. :) Cheers - Gary

Craig Cornish August 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM Magical Gary, you've brought to mind a movie I love called Tap---I got the same feeling from this but in a very different way----yet drawn into the same feeling... Gary Radice August 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM I hear you. Overthinking? No. Just super comments. Thanks again Craig. Cheers - Gary Craig Cornish August 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM Wasn't so much the plot but the way you drew out the "beat' with the hymn meter - iambic tet and tri, also can almost hear Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in the background (I know - overthinking)! Gary Radice August 23, 2025 at 6:08 AM Thank you Craig. That's very kind. I've not seen the film 'Taps' but to have a poem of mine remind you of it is great praise in itself. Cheers - Gary

John Watt June 26, 2022 at 10:40 PM Gary, I fully enjoyed reading and re-reading this tale of a romance writer incorporating her handsome waiter into her next novel. Love the story in a story aspect and your 16 (!) monorhymes is remarkable considering not one is a throwaway or feels forced. Your signature cadence is delightful to read out loud, and helps to propel the narrative... 32 lines felt more like 16. Also some really great and original city streets imagery, perfect for a rainy day romance in NYC. Terrific twist at the end too, reminiscent of some of O Henry's better stories. Great write ~ John Gary Radice June 27, 2022 at 10:25 AM Thanks John! There was a point in the poem that I didn't think I'd make it to the end but I got there. :) There's something about storms and cities that appeal to my muse. I wanted to incorporate the reflections of the traffic 'jumping' from one pane to another in the ground floor shop / office windows but didn't quite manage it. :) Always good to read your comments John. PS: I'm off to read some O Henry :) Cheers - Gary

George Yiorgos Stathakis January 5, 2022 at 8:38 AM I love your poem Gary. It reminds me of Leonard Cohen’s poetry. Beautifully written! Congrats. Gary Radice January 5, 2022 at 9:03 AM Thank you George. That the poem reminds you of Leonard Cohen's style is fantastic praise indeed. In part, the poem was inspired by a 1964 film called 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (Not to disimilar to the much more recent 'La La Land'.) I love the ideas of colour, the big city and rain coming together. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith January 2, 2022 at 7:50 AM Congratulations on your win. Your "The Lovers Of New York" is a lovely story/write. Have a blessed day................... Gary Radice January 2, 2022 at 10:32 AM Thanks Paula. Have a great New Year Cheers - Gary

Janice Canerdy January 2, 2022 at 6:26 AM I really enjoyed this GREAT narrative poem, Gary. The end made me laugh. Janice Gary Radice January 2, 2022 at 10:33 AM Hi Janice. Thanks so much for your comments and all the best for The New Year. Cheers - Gary

L. J. Carber January 2, 2022 at 5:48 AM I like the imagery and evocation of a big city, and the ironic twist at the end is 'way cool'--congrats on your win, Gary Gary Radice January 2, 2022 at 6:06 AM Thanks L. J. There's something about a wet city scene that just cries out to be written about. Cheers - Gary

Christuraj Alex October 20, 2021 at 11:14 PM It's a long beautiful story with a curiosity-provoking narration. Congratulations! Gary Radice October 21, 2021 at 1:18 AM Thank you Christuraj. One of the problems of writing a longer poem is that you hope readers will stick with it. The story is essential to allow this to happen and provoking - as you say - the reader's curiosity is key. I'm really grateful for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Jan Allison October 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM what a wonderfully descriptive love story, the imagery and characterisation was excellent, the final stanza made me smile as we had a meal out and they failed to bring the change, took 3 attempts to get the change right - will never go back for many many reasons:-( hugs jan xx Gary Radice October 21, 2021 at 1:15 AM Thank you Jan! Don't get me started on meals out. :) I detest the fact that many establishments add 12.5% tip on automatically. I cross it off and give the waiter cash. Cheers - Gary

Newton Ranaweera October 20, 2021 at 3:26 PM So visual; so musical; so meaningful!! Congratulations, Gary, on your placement!! Gary Radice October 21, 2021 at 1:12 AM Thanks Newton! I like that you described the poem as musical. Cheers - Gary

Anitha Jayasankar October 20, 2021 at 10:21 AM Such an amazing write, so descriptive... I could almost imagine the scenes of this beautiful poem... Hearty congrats on your win Gary... God bless... ~ Ani Gary Radice October 20, 2021 at 11:47 AM Thank you Anitha! Congratulations for your placement too. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman October 19, 2021 at 11:15 AM Utterly delightful Gary! Wonderful images - "rain that drowned the sidewalks," "swarms of taxis stung the air," "horns stuck on repeat" all masterfully blended into this romantically yearning experience. It is a visceral experience of the city along with a love story. Congratulations! Cheers! Gary Radice October 19, 2021 at 11:37 AM Thanks so much Sam. Visceral: Yes!! For fear of sounding pretentious it's a love story set in New York for New York starring everything I associate with New York from film, TV and my one visit there. Cheers - Gary

Frederic Parker October 19, 2021 at 10:13 AM this poem was so real to me it captured a memory I have from long long ago...congratulations Gary Radice October 19, 2021 at 10:20 AM Hi Frederic, I'm so glad it captured a memory for you. Thank you for the congratulations. Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh October 19, 2021 at 4:13 AM The cream rises to the top Gary, congratulations on a well deserved win, you captured the quintessential essence of lovers in New York, cheers David Gary Radice October 19, 2021 at 4:47 AM Thanks David. I've only ever been to New York once but it left a great impression on me. In fact I thought I was walking in a movie backlot when I was there: the yellow taxis, the steam escaping from the manholes etc etc.. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham October 19, 2021 at 1:15 AM Back with congratulations on your win Gary, Tom Gary Radice October 19, 2021 at 4:45 AM Thank you again Tom. Congratulations too, for your poem Shadow. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley October 18, 2021 at 8:00 PM Ah, this is beautifully expressive and impressive, Gary. Dreamy romance spills from your gifted pen with rich rhythm and a clever monorhyme scheme. Simply splendid! Congratulations for your excellent win in Milton's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Gary Radice October 19, 2021 at 4:44 AM Thank you Susan and congratulations on your own deseved winner. I've read it and will read it again and leave a comment. Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins October 18, 2021 at 7:57 PM Gary, very deserving of your place in the top ten in my contest. I love this poem, so, I'm here to say CONGRATULATIONS! Fine writing, indeed. Gary Radice October 19, 2021 at 4:43 AM Thank you Milt, both for your lovely comments and the competition. I always struggle when I have to choose a favourite. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck October 4, 2021 at 9:41 AM We all dream those dreams that have rude awakenings. Great write, Gary! Gary Radice October 4, 2021 at 10:24 AM Thanks for the great comments Ann. I found this particular poem great fun to write so I'm glad you like it. Cheers - Gary

Robert James Liguori September 29, 2021 at 6:32 PM Beautiful poem, what every writer aspires to. Gary Radice September 30, 2021 at 12:24 AM Thanks Robert; much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne September 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM A wonderful write, Gary, that has a enticing, romantic narrative. Those dog gone good looking waiters have stolen many women's hearts. Delightful read with its juxtaposition of fictional entanglement + in the moment enticement. Just great! Best wishes, Brian Gary Radice September 30, 2021 at 12:25 AM Hi Brian! Thank you. I'm really glad you enjoyed the read. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf September 25, 2021 at 7:50 PM Outstanding write, Gary! Should have been POTD. Every stanza fits perfectly, seamlessly. Bravo!! A FAVE for me. Thanks, Gershon Gary Radice September 25, 2021 at 11:27 PM Gershon, thanks so much for your great comments. If I'm honest I don't know how POTD is chosen, I just write what I enjoy writing and if others enjoy it too then that's a bonus. Some of what I consider my best poems have the least views. Just me I guess. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Eric Cohen September 21, 2021 at 2:21 PM A master stroke and a delight, Gary. Gary Radice September 22, 2021 at 5:18 AM Thanks Eric - Glad you liked it. Cheers - Gary

Joanna Daniel September 14, 2021 at 3:16 AM Am loving this absolutely, Gary:) great use of a single rhyme throughout, and that twist in the end, awesome:) Gary Radice September 14, 2021 at 3:40 AM Thanks Jo! I've trimmed it, then added to it, changed some words around, changed stanzas around..and I'm just about happy with it now as it is. :) Cheers - Gary

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