The weather is almost bearable today, but the past week has been cruel and unusual as far as heat goes. In the spirit of staying cool in the face of Mother Nature's toughest love, I Love Franklin Ave. is teaming up with Snubbr.com to offer one talented reader a $50 Coldstone gift certificate in exchange for a little creative reflection on the summer's heat. (Some of you may recognize Snubbr from their similar giveaway pairing with Brokelyn last month). We wanted to challenge readers for more than just a plain comment on the weather, and with the July Franklin Park Reading Series coming up, we settled on a poetry contest. Any poetic form is acceptable, as long as it's 14 lines or less (making room for the Shakespearian sonnet) and the subject matter is Franklin Avenue/Crown Heights in the summer. Length and poetic sophistication will not necessarily be rewarded, so feel free to use haiku (the Reading Series occasionally inspires me to try my clumsy hand at these), acrostic, or limerick. Enter by posting your poem as a comment to this thread, and if you're posting anonymously, include a way to contact you should you win (US entries only, sorry!). A panel of three distinguished judges will select the winner in one week's time, and we'll mail the gift card shortly thereafter. Have at it!
Snubbr, which suggested this promotion, is a product-recommendation site that's building its profile through fun, free giveaways on blogs (they do gift recommendations, too).
Posts
Fire-like air
ReplyDeleteRain please fall
Around here
Not there
King County summers
Love em or hate em
It's bound to be memorable
Never forgettable
Air-conditioner relief
Valuable indeed, but
Eating ice cream would fulfill my need
.
It is hot as hell on Franklin Avenue
ReplyDeleteBut with delis and stores there is so much to do!
I should go to Ink Spot and see their new store!
It is full of windows and not a creepy old door.
Should I get a tattoo about this place?
A neighborhood that pushes me to think about economics, gender and race?
But beyond that it is a neighborhood I love true
With interesting people and stores there is something for you!
3Ds has the best beef paddy in town
And Lily & Fig has cupcakes that never let down!
I love Bombay Masala more than I can ever say!
With giant specials for very little pay!
Oh Crown Heights I love you more than you'll ever know.
But screw this heat I am ready for Franklin Ave in the snow!
Now there was a time...
ReplyDeletewhen you looked up at me in worship.
Your child like wonder amused me soo!
I gave you warmth, gave life to all around you
From ancient Egypt, to the Roman Empire, to the Tribes of Africa
you truly loved my presence.
But all things change with time,
and so did your appreciation.
You came to neglect me, forget me,
and even try to harness my magnificence
But on days like this, even for only the season
I shall have my moment to shine
to shine brighter, and hotter than you expect
to remind you of just who you're messing with.
So as I look down upon you,
in what you consider blazing, humid, sweltering
I simply say.
How you like me now?
How You Like Me Now?
HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW ?!
I didn't realize when I was writing, but I think I was inspired by FuzzyHat's piece. Maybe mine is a prequel to that one, or maybe another voice in the same story. More than 14 lines, but poetic license, no?
ReplyDelete-------------------
Crown Heights, your highness.
Yes, that’s your kingdom down there.
Shine on.
That block, your highness,
Franklin Avenue,
Yes, that block is hot down there.
Shine on.
Your highness
I regret to report,
that block -
that block is hotter than you, but
Shine on.
Your highness,
Shine on.
The traitors
when you sleep, your highness,
packing heat, your highness.
Franklin streets, your highness.
Hotter than you.
Their sweat is dry, your highness.
Your tears too shy, your highness.
Yes, cry, your highness.
Cool off that hot block down there.
180.
Yes, you are hotter than then.
Yes, you are hotter than them!
YES, YOU ARE HOTTER THAN MEN!
You must not be eclipsed!
So remind them!
You must…
SHINE ON!
Ok - so a buddy suggested I break down my urban slang references for those who might not be familiar:
ReplyDelete"Hot" block - Criminal (drug) activity. In a spin on the phrase, the criminal minded will speak about a "hot" block, referring to a significant police presence. I'm using it the first way.
"Packing heat" - carrying a firearm.
Acrostic? Acrostic!
ReplyDeleteHot as hell from
Eastern Parkway to
Atlantic Avenue
Time slipping slow,
Water in flow from wrenched open hydrants.
All the city sighing, all of us
Vying for cool breeze, the sweet, lazy ease of
Evening shade on leafy streets, for night's relief from this crazy heat.
...not that it's been great at night, but what LaurelB said -- poetic license, right? The hydrants I passed were not on Franklin, but on nearby cross streets. In the shade. I wanted to walk through and get blasted, even though I was fully dressed and carrying books and groceries...
my entry:
ReplyDeletefranklin ave catcalls
stop at nam's for some ice cream
sitting on stoop, sweet relief
This may be a bit depressing, but it makes me want ice cream so...success?
ReplyDeleteEnd of the Block
A summer Tuesday, Brooklyn is
pouring fire;
I fixate absent-mindedly
on the glow
of your lighted-bright burning limbs.
The frenzy has
arisen in the streets, and
swindled you
of your sensible stare.
You blend into the
sidewalk, like a reptile,
and change your colors;
I sit on the ground,
melt my fingers
into your skin, and liquid
city races by our feet.
Head low, eyes lower
ReplyDeleteShe ambles to Shorty's
A puckering noise from the left,
An invitation to rude lips,
The revving of an engine
She doesn't look — keep those eyes low
Then, calls the ignored into the night,
"Walk faster, white bitch!"
"Dear Franklin Ave, My Love"
ReplyDeleteyou're sly as a fox,
you outran the
yoga moms --
cat greenleaf ain't got shit on you.
you are the straight path that i walk
day after day
to get laid
baby,
thanks for getting me drunk.
so sweet, so succulent
your body is tight, and
the rent is
ripe
(what that means minus the metaphor is i am going to eat homes because they are cheap)
you're the spitting image
of my mom.
crown heights, triangle bites
ReplyDeleteabsolut heatwave, dealin with the rave
next door and the chore
of bedbug paranoia
crime is up like the world cup
bodega run, errands done
sweat drips off my nose
please douse me with your hose
franklin keepin the beat under a variety of feet
dead crawl shuttle got me standin in a puddle
of sweat, till the night comes
rooftop relaxation, fan rehydration
late night ice cream truck, only 2 bucks
stay cool, it’s hot, don’t get shot
Composed by Maya and Arne one hot night at Washington Commons. Closer to a song than a poem...
ReplyDeleteCrown Heights in the summertime
Ain’t no neighborhood that’s so sublime
I’ll give you yours when you give me mine
Yoyo DJ spin it back one time
Gloria’s got the best patties in town
Don’t fuck with Met cuz they’ll lay you down
Nicki Minaj we hear you all around
We can’t complain cuz you be real down
Franklin Park, y’all always leave us tight
Stop by Dutch Boy if you wanna bite
If you come home late, Nam’s will treat you right
Or get a slice at Mike’s in the middle of the night
Eastern Parkway gettin’ ready for the best parade
Don’t worry ‘bout people throwing shade
Nostrand putting up with all those raids
Eatin’ waffles at Bristen’s when I get paid
Crown Heights in the summertime
Ain’t no neighborhood that’s so sublime