Brooklyn

I’m from the Heartland: Brooklyn.
We provincials recognize Manhattan
As the home of pseudo sophistication,
Never to be confused with heart.

Brooklyn, a place of subways and accents,
Not home to giant corporations,
But home to thousands of first generations.
Not a bad place to begin.

Two and a half million people and no ball clubs.
There is a sense of motion,
Of a dialogue that is 400 years old
And constantly changing.

Clothing to fit every religion,
Beliefs of every shape and size.
The “downstairs” for The City,
More worker than boss.

There is no music or drug unavailable
Somewhere in Brooklyn.
Tomorrow’s judgments will be rendered,
Here among 100 neighborhoods.