Review of "Poems of New York"

Poems of New York is a collection of poems about New York written by many different authors, both native New Yorkers and not. I read these poems one at a time, and they all spoke to me in a different way. Living and being raised in New York City for fifteen years, New York has a profound impact in the very fabric of my personality.

Some of the poems speak about a similar, long-lasting effect that living in New York City has in them– one that won’t leave them even when they leave in New York. But, many of the poems actually speak about everyday life in New York City– the little moments and incidents that make you appreciate New York for exactly what it is. And these poems, to me, are more powerful, because it is these moments that show why the authors of these poems love New York City.

This compilation of poems also reminded me of something very important: that every person’s experience of New York is both similar and different, but that we all live here with each other. It can be difficult to remember that eight million others share this city with you, but I think the poem reminding us of this fact can make us feel more united as a city.

I bought this book before I moved away from New York City, but I think, ironically, it has become truer to me than when I left. Here are two of my favorite poems from the book, for exactly the reasons I mentioned above. Poems of New York is a must-have, not even for reading straight through, but just for sifting through, especially as a New Yorker.