My Brooklyn (353)

Frank Rispoli Sr.

A few years ago I made an entry in the Brooklyn net, which was in the early beginning of this site. My entry was short but I hope meaningful. In the past few weeks I have visited the site hoping to find some old school or neighborhood friends of mine, with no success. In due of searching though I have read just about every entry that was made, before my first entry and up to the very last. Everything that I ever wanted to say or write about my Brooklyn was already said by so many wonderful people. People who were born and raised, lived and loved Brooklyn. What more is there for me to write or add? Though on one rainy autumn day, I sat in front of this cold and human-less computer and wrote a poem about Brooklyn that I would like to share with each and every one of you wonderful Brooklyn folks. Each and every one who lives or has lived in Brooklyn are the heart, the soul, the blood and the temperament of my Brooklyn, and I miss and love you all. Here is my final and last addition to the Brooklyn site.

The Brooklyn blues

If I was a poet, I would write a poem for you, about some of your bad
side-streets and gracious avenues.
If I was a writer, I would write a book, about all of those good
people and some of your crooks,
and if I was a singer, I would sing a song about you, and then you
would hear me sing, the good old Brooklyn blues.
If I was a painter, I would paint pictures of you, of boats sailing
through your gateway, and the Brooklyn to skyline view.
If I was a photographer, I would capture scenes in living color, of
the smiling little children, playing in your parks and gardens,
And if I was a preacher, I would praise to the lord, and I would
preach of your hidden beauty, to the whole wide world.
If I was of royalty, a king with a crown, I would gold plate your
bridges, and pearl inlay your clouds,
and if I had the power, and the heavenly might, I would replace the
stars with diamonds, to make your skies sparkle on cold and rainy
nights.
And if I was a singer, I would sing a song about you, and then you
would hear me sing, the good old Brooklyn blues.
And if some people listen when I sing my song for you,
and if they'd get the message when I sing the Brooklyn blues,
and if they understand there could be no doubt, that I love a place
called Brooklyn, good old Brooklyn town,
Yes, and if I was a poet, a writer, a king with a crown. A painter, a
preacher, a photographer, or had the heavenly powers, and if I was a
singer, I would sing my song for you,..........................and
then you would hear me sing!
Yes, you would hear it ring! Yes, then I would sing my song called,
the good old Brooklyn blues.....................................!

15 May 2001

Donald S Sullivan

Kimball St. between S and T. 1950s. St. Thomas Aquinas Flatbush , '63. Grandpa's house at 110 Park Pl. off 7th. Bklyn Tech '67, Bklyn College '71. Loew's and Jahn's for ice cream on Church and Flatbush. Farragut pool. The pool upstairs in the St. George Hotel. Does anyone remember the "cow path" in Marine Park? Somewhere around E. 36th St. and Ave. P? Where/what was it? It cut diagonally through streets, backyards and it was dirt. South of Ave. U was the "Swamps." Dirt roads, shacks, etc. Ben Mastic's nightclub and Battleship men's store. The Green Bus Line from the Junction all the way to Beach 116th St., where you could get into all the Irish saloons and where they had a "three-man" lifeguard chair. It took forever to get home.

15 May 2001