Had to be there everyday
Among the blackness
Digging the uniqueness
Tight bell-bottoms
Afro picks
Bright Dashikis
Gil-Scott Heron
Incense sticks

“A” train
Up town
The original Chocolate City
“El-Dogs” for players
Life very gritty
But always very pretty

Survival a means to test your wit
Downtown Negroes just didn’t fit
Harlem was beautiful
Harlem was an attitude
Obtained and perfected
By more than a few
My corner of the world
132nd Street and Lenox Avenue

In Harlem
I always smiled
Breathing in the atmosphere
Maybe because
On some street corner
You were smiling
You were there

BE

:D

probably why Penny never wanted to move west.


a

felt this throughout

I come from the Bronx, but your poem repped my fav. hangout spot. I don't remember when i ain't wanna hang out on 2/5 (125th street), just to be around the atmosphere.

nice write (:

i've only been to harlem once and i got accused of having a romantic vision of it because i wanted to see the vibe that this poem puts out. very good job on claiming your hood for yourself and definining what it means to be/live in harlem.

Your poem Harlem takes me home like Dorothy and Toto

Greatly enjoy your gift, thanks.

You painted such a mellow picture, and captured the feeling there in. I enjoyed this write.