A Poem by Lepadah

Funny watching ones middle aged ass
wiggle jump and jiggle
to "Hey now you're a rockstar."
dancing on top the dining room table
only hot pink panty flashing the mirror

growing up Queens
laughing remembering idiosyncrasies
caught up angst
the lost Bozo lunch box
announced over PS 135 PA system
deliberately left outside Ms. Maggios 1st grade class

the bright red hair
white clown face
big red lips
Bozo box belonged to me

growing up on this side of Queens
those awkward pointed Dr. Scholls shoes
folks felt appropriate
correct narrow feet
attached to olive oil legs
yikes!

growing up Queens
the sixties
a predominately Jewish neighborhood
listening to Mrs. Goldstein, Mrs. Weinstein, Ms. Lucille dish gossip
peeking at Dr. Gottesman hippy wife smoking weed

growing up Queens
meant knowing the yenta in the hood
laughing at the Weinsteins speaking Yiddish
their favorite expression "oy vey."

meant eating daddies twist on Gefilte fish
the best Matzah ball soup ever
running down the street
the bakery for a loaf of Challah

our house was Lox and Soulfood
reading "Joys of Yiddish"
"Malcolm X" (hysterical)
growing up Queens
listening to the Monkees on CBS
pops Billy Eckstine records

mothers country music (Lord have mercy)
falling asleep to milkman matinee
Saturday night parties
cross town mamas house
watching the folks get down to King Curtis

growing up Queens meant
first back park kiss
the big kick ass fight with new kids

it meant Goodies luncheonette
Jays Diner
Gabys pizzeria
Jerrys Jewish Delicatessen

growing up Queens meant
me loving being me


© 2009 Lepadah