The Hudson River stretches wide
From Jersey to the far west side.
The east, though, is where I reside
So I don’t see it much.
It’s quite majestic, driving past
And on the highway, going fast,
I try to conjure up the past
When locals spoke in Dutch.
‘Cross town, another river flows,
Much narrower and, I suppose,
Some Germans came because that shows
In restaurants and such.
Between the rivers, New York grew
And other cultures added to
The melting pot, which no one knew
Would suffer Ice’s clutch.
Categories:
hudson river, new york,
Form: Rhyme
I can almost hear the
haunting monastic chants
and solemn songs, lost
between the rippling currents
of the Hudson River.
The Cloisters stand, silent
upon a nearby hill
stone walls and ancient towers
are stoic and timeless
carrying secrets of the past
covering forgotten sins.
Echos of voices, Ave Maria and rosaries
the fervent signs of the cross
commune amongst sacred writings
silent prayers and penitent pleas.
The tower bells clang loudly
ringing in the hours
as time slips over the horizon
and well cared for gardens.
I linger within these hallowed halls
aching to listen to those voices
from long ago
disciplined, dedicated, devoted men
who knelt to worship
God Most High, Eternal.
Categories:
hudson river, god, places,
Form: Free verse
Let me get out of New York
Bags are packed
Deportation fact
It’s time to leave
People of New York, don’t be deceived
I stood for come and all
It now is no more
Leaving the New York City shore
Enough is enough for sure
Getting out while I can
If I was deported, I would probably be sent to France
Fat chance
Hudson River is my escape to my own new world
History was
The Statue that was of the people
Constitution said
Fulfilled for years
Bags, we got a journey
The statue will now be cut down to a skeleton
Quickly leaving town
People beware
Embrace one another with care
It’s freedom for me
I can’t wait and see
Run Ms. Liberty Run.
Categories:
hudson river, anger, anti bullying, art,
Form: Free verse
They once lived here on Hudson River shores;
Lenape Indians of long ago.
Beneath our home, an underworld with scores
of spirits, that perhaps, still here abide.
An arrowhead was found and brought inside,
and, from that day, they've wandered to and fro.
For years we've seen the shadows down our hall
and darting figures rushing past each door.
A fan that starts to whirl, and that's not all-
lamps light and dim at will in random rooms.
To know that they once lived here, one assumes
their spirits are entrenched forevermore.
No harm has come to us, just puzzling, though,
in never knowing why this came to be,
except that tribes once lived here long ago;
their roaming spirits making sure that they
impress us with each unexplained display;
they lost their land- yet spirits still run free.
Categories:
hudson river, scary, surreal,
Form: Rhyme
Brutal winds snap frozen branches,
no drowsy Tree Sparrows soak up sun rays;
I shiver wondering if they can survive...
somewhere huddled together to stay alive!
The Hudson River has the slowest flow in several years,
it struggles to reach the huge Atlantic Ocean that roars;
there all the boats are anchored while hungry seagulls
search the icy waves for a prey that fears their beaks!
Playful dolphins are seen often and amaze spectators,
hawks perch on red maples and birches unless it snows;
and watch them with killer eyes unable to defeat these creatures:
they should be happy to catch bluefish and river herring, not these!
Ebbs won't rise, as they do on moonlights, their surface is too bleak,
and the absence of a plenilune surely predicts their imminent doom;
there are six weeks to spring: isn't it the awaited relief we seek,
or the longing for flowing water and weeping willows to bloom?
Categories:
hudson river, emotions, february, fishing, january,
Form: Rhyme
over the Hudson River, its heights
my nemesis. I longed to drive
and stay alive. Highland
on the other side. Mid-Hudson
thrill ride for a permitted driver.
my heart would pound
just looking at the gothic steel
and the watergrave - my haunt.
a teenager’s imagination swims
in an encounter with the dead.
i had a friend whose dad dizzily
fell into the dangerous depths.
trepidation removes its guardrails,
tires sliding into the Poughkeepsie abyss.
bridging the gap - my courage.
i live to tell the tale…palpitations stalled.
8/19/2021
Categories:
hudson river, fear,
Form: Free verse
Sing this to the tune of
"We Shall Overcome:"
We're all over-heat-ed
We're all over-heat-ed
We're all over-heat-ed
Today - ay - ay
Oh, oh, take a step back
Cut America some slack
'Cos we're all over-heat-ed
Today
We're so over-sensitive
We're so over-sensitive
We're so over-sensitive
Right now - ow - ow
C'mon and take a deep breath
We're way out of our depth
'Cos we're so over-sensitive
Right now
We've got to right our ship
We've got to right our ship
We've got to right our ship
OK - ay - ay
Because if we dare to blink
Lady Liberty may well sink
And drown in Hudson River
Bay - ay - ay
Can we all unite
Can we all unite
Can we all unite
Today - ay - ay
Oh, oh, deep in my heart
I'd like to believe
that we can all unite
Today
Categories:
hudson river, america, people, together,
Form: Lyric
I hear it from across my river view-
the echoed horn of Metro-North's rail train.
At early dawn, I sit and wonder who
is going to the City to sustain
essential duties- heroes so humane-
those doctors, nurses, aides, to lend support,
along with first responders who deport
to hospitals where Covid patients bide.
There- they at risk help stay day's death report;
own fearfulness of sickness override.
April 9, 2020
~HM~
Contest: Brian's Choice 5
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Judged: 05/08/2020
Note:
Metro-North trains go through the Hudson Valley
along the Hudson River to Grand Central Station in
New York City. Because of the Coronavirus, they
run on a limited schedule for essential employees
who work and are needed in the Metropolitan area.
Categories:
hudson river, international, tribute,
Form: Dizain
I see you
Eyes as soothing and true
A calming voice
Needed amongst the bustling noise
I see you
My life is not through
I cannot move
But you are keeping me cool
I see you
I am scared here
I need the comfort like a stuffed teddy bear
I see you
Earlier today I was a fool
Trying something I was not supposed to do
But you are here not on a break
Tending to those who are starting to wake
First thing one sees
Coming out of the darkness minus the colorful dreams
A bright light
Due to the reality of sight
Triggering an honest feeling to let out a scream
If you know what I mean
Then I see you
And the calming image too
Days later in my hospital bed
Feeling grateful that I am not in the morgue, dead
I watch the Hudson River boats
Knowing this situation was not my fault
Getting ready to go home
To recuperate from these broken bones
I see you
After that serious boo boo
I was alone
And you had that healing tone
I see you
And I am back healthy studying at school
Categories:
hudson river, angel, care, caregiving, health,
Form: Rhyme
Made me smile, this
Indefatigable Seal, the
Never give up pep talk.
Decision full speed ahead.
Shoulders and pecs magnanimity.
Each word exudes confidence.
The protégé won’t give up!
In the Hudson River currents won’t
Surrender so he goes beyond his sanity.
Ever a reminder of life’s tenacity,
Verifiably insane, but
Every muscle hears his
Raging brain.
Your attentiveness supports
The veterans, the
Heroes. Still my heart, the humbleness
In the Navy whites, pulling for their fellow man.
Never give up in their D.N.A.
God bless the U.S.A.
8/3/2019
Categories:
hudson river, america, body, character, river,
Form: Acrostic
If your apartment or your house
Could use a slight expansion,
May I suggest, instead, that you
Just build yourself a mansion.
Today I've toured a couple,
Both in Hudson River towns.
With property like that, your moods
Should have no room for downs.
A bit of ostentation
Seems de rigueur, though, I guess,
But servants take good care of it,
So you don't have to stress.
If you're looking for an upgrade
And you've mega-bucks to spare,
Do like Vanderbilt or Church* - construct
A mansion for your lair.
*Frederick Vanderbilt and Frederic Church
Categories:
hudson river, house,
Form: Rhyme
They once lived here on Hudson River shores;
Lenape Indians of long ago.
Beneath our home, an underworld with scores
of spirits, that perhaps, still here abide.
An arrowhead was found and brought inside,
and from that day, they've wandered to and fro.
For years we've seen the shadows down our hall
and darting figures rushing past each door.
A fan that starts to whirl, and therewithal,
lamps light and dim at will in random rooms.
To know that they once lived here, one assumes
their spirits are entrenched forevermore.
No harm has come to us, just puzzling, though,
in never knowing why this came to be,
except that tribes once lived here long ago;
their roaming spirits, still alive and free.
Categories:
hudson river, culture, death, scary, spiritual,
Form: Rhyme
a love so defiant
so powerful
our embrace caused the Hudson River to go up in flames
as the passion inflamed us
out of fear
I refer to this obnoxious love in the past tense
my past
too intense
prayer lifted me up to you
just with thought my plan would ricochet
your English accent caressed my ears that day
the night
you became my knight
yet here I am
looking for you
searching
Categories:
hudson river, adventure,
Form: Free verse
Hudson Valley, New York
Oh, Hudson Valley, place that I call home,
you hug the river from which came your name.
On fertile banks, the settlers came to roam
and stayed to prosper and your land proclaim.
Your winding Hudson River grew their dreams
with farmlands, orchards and new industries,
and lovely homes that languish in your scenes
atop green rolling hills with graceful trees.
And from my window, you present to me
the vision of your peaceful valleys and
the sparkling river waters that flow free
from north to south thru Hudson Valley land.
When weary from the stresses of each day...
I relish in the peace your views portray.
Sandra M. Haight
~2nd Place~
Contest: Sonnet About Where You Live
Sponsor: Silent One
Judged: 01/07/2017
Note: The Hudson River begins at Lake Tear of the Clouds in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. It flows to the tip of Manhattan in the southern part of the state.
My home is in Newburgh, a town along the Mid-Hudson Valley, sixty miles north of New York City.
Categories:
hudson river, home,
Form: Sonnet
ONCE UPON A TIME
I felt bold, placing an Ad in New York's Village Voice; see
I needed a friend, a guide, a conscientious lover of my choice
But as I read and read, one unusual two page letter
Stated that they'd be my slave, and loyal house sitter
That was start and end of that; but meanwhile,
I met a lonely young woman wanting to commit suicide
I showed her warmth, serenity, and rest; then I went to work
Leaving her with view of Hudson River, and lush trees in the park
That summer, I introduced her to her very own cozy space
Next door. Lo and behold, she found and looked like grace
One afternoon, as I hurried to fetch my usual subway train
This once lonely girl stopped to model her gold engagement ring
She stood hand in hand, with a spectacled gentleman I'd seen, so
I simply smiled, said farewell, and played back tapes of old scenes.
*
Categories:
hudson river, black african american, encouraging,
Form: Couplet
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