New York Poems | Examples of New York Poetry

Rip and Wolf Van Winkle

Children, can you hear the thunder and the gale?
It's time to tell that old and fateful tale.
Nobody knows it better than I know,
the dog named Wolf who died so long ago.

It began with an Autumnal hunting trip
in the Kaatskills with my friend and master, Rip.
I said, "Rip, let's go catch us some squirrel", 
and the

Between the Rivers

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

Stone or Air

Old friend, so comfortable in your chair
     (steadfast and anchored, safe in your harbor,
     hear me before deciding I am daft. 
     I fear I am no longer of this earth, 
     having become unmoored in time and space.

The Night New York Slept

It was one solemn, long night,
Tenebrous with the astuteness of perfidy,
And multiple hours before the break of an
Impatient dawn.
Lampposts froze through the pergola of winter.
Limp from exposure to unprintable tales of orgies,
And their lights, hidden by icicles of pelted snow,
They fell face-down on the wayward paths of Central Park.
Manhattan was hung on the tattered frescoes

Oddballs in New York

Oddballs in New York

The strange people who want to live
until they are 200 years old and, if possible, forever. 
Needless to say, these people are also rich
I saw the leader of the odd people, who tells us
He goes to bed at eight and rises at five
shift workers to have a similar routine, not they
wish to be

Finally

I feel like finally saying 
And yet I did not ask for it 
I even gave it up 
To this first love 
To this unforgettable love 
Finally

New York, New York

On June 25, 2025, a 33-year-old far-left democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim, won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Mr. Mamdani is a “globalize the intifada” and “tax the rich” guy, known for his “defund the police”, pro-Gaza, pro-BDS and antisemitic views. He also called for the prison system to be dismantled

Where

Let the Streets Flow with Blood

     Advocate of rent control and $30 minimum wage
     Free public transportation! Zohran Mamdani’s a media-appointed Sage

         For all illegal immigrants, full privileges and rights
         Defund the police, let NYC’s streets

Lunch on Third Avenue

Had lunch with a friend
And we sat in the shade
In a sidewalk arrangement
The restaurant made.

I live on the east side
And she on the west.
We meet to catch up 
At each other’s request.

The corner was busy
And traffic zipped by.
With sirens and buses,
I’m not gonna lie,

The noisiness level
Was blaring and loud,
Plus bulldozers rolled
As pedestrians cowed.

Construction just added
More

My New York Giraffe

A giraffe went out to buy a car.
He didn't like nothin' that he saw'r.
Maybe, he'd be more comfortable
driving a convertible.

New York City Jungle

Aisha was fierce and sensuous
and belonged on Broadway
she knew what she wanted
and was bound to get her way



AP: Honorable Mention 2025

chutzpah in New York

chutzpah in new york
cheeky annoying brashness
nervy confidence

Just Think of It

I only ride the subway
To a doctor or a show.
When teaching, that was not the way
To work I used to go.

Today, though, in the morning rush
I had to take a train
And I expected all the usuals
That make the trip a pain – 

Delays and crowds and people whom
You wouldn’t want to meet
And cars so packed

Another Unexpected Sight

I saw her from a distance
And I recognized the move,
But until I got much closer,
It was difficult to prove.

With her breasts exposed, her bra below,
The cup part in the back
Was fastened, then she slid it ‘round
With quite a practiced knack.

She covered up her boobs and then
A t-shirt found its way
As she slowly dressed right on

In a New York City minute

another weekday
she awakens
to the sunrise aroma of
preset coffee brewing

her eyes still closed
she thinks about her day
and slowly starts to form
thoughts in her head

so much to do
so little time
a jolt of java
revs up the engine

give her a minute
she'll come to life
another sip
and there it is

it's all systems go!



AP: 1st place 2025

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