A Fairy Tale of New York

Cherry

By marandina

Sun, 19 Dec 2021
  • 2163 reads
20 comments
 

A Fairy Tale of New York

 

Silvery snow fell on unwashed decks,

emigres sailing from an emerald isle,

huddled masses yearning to breathe,

dreaming dreams of rivers of gold,

in awe, torch of liberty held aloft.

 

Kirsty and Shane singing in unison,

her perched on piano, him tinkling keys,

telling tales of old mountain dew,

choral, majestic NYPD choirs in blue,

roots left behind in old Galway Bay.

 

So it was Christmas Eve this day,

church bells chimed on Broadway,

drunkards littered drunk tank cells,

flakes falling, filling vials of hope,

the innocence of disparate souls.

 

Two dreamers kissed on a corner

then danced through a starry night,

though they fought like banshees

in stories of fable, legend and lore,

ghosts and allegories of Christmas yore.

 

Wearing the crown of New York City,

him Gaelic, handsome, the girl so pretty,

yet the man a punk, her high on junk,

proud band marching, drumming this tune,

eternal fairy tale in a land of High Noon.

 

One of the great Christmas songs - Fairy Tale of New York is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8

A majestic poem written about The Statue of Liberty by Emma Lazarus is at http://libertystatepark.com/emma.htm

Image free to use at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:West_33rd_St,_Coria_Town,_NY_-_p...

Certificate 15
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Romance

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

The often told truth behind a fairy tale in New York. I admire the way you capture the seedier side to Christmas with its realities. Definitely an orignal poem that reminds the reader that all is not always perfect this time of year. Especially in that line:- The man a punk, her high on junk. All those kids lost in a world of getting high...so sad.

It needed to be told. 

Thank you Paul.

P S If I have got the message behind your poem wrong, I am so sorry and will delete my comment.

Wishing you a Peaceful Winter Solstice.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah yes, Happy Solstice, lovely Jenny. No the "punk and junk" references are from the song itself and the whole point of it is the ambiguity of two immigrants who love and hate each other at the same time. That's why it's such a wonderful song as it's not sentimental whilst still being so magical. Thanks again for reading it. Paul x

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Aww, I loved Kirsty MacColl. It was 21 years ago yesterday that she was killed in Mexico. It broke my heart and I still get a touch of the old melancholy when I listen to her albums.

I loved the Pogues too and saw them perform live many times, the last time being in Birmingham of all places about fifteen years ago. I got in free because I was one of the fundraisers for the Justice For Kirsty campaign, standing by the doors at the beginning and the end of the gig, rattling our buckets for loose change to help fund the her mother's struggle in the Mexican courts. The loose change in many cases turned out to be big banknotes, especially towards the end when the crowd were all flutered and a bit tearful from having just heard Fairytale being sung in the encore.

And this is my biggest claim to fame ever ... Channel Four did a documentary about the making of Fairytale of New York and for almost two seconds near to the end of it you can see my face in the crowd at Kirsty's annual gathering by her memorial bench in London's Soho Square. 

But anyway ... your poem ... a very good depiction of the harsh realities of life in America for those poor Irish people who survived the voyages across the Atlantic on the coffin ships. Their stories so similar to those of the people crossing the Mediterranean and the English Channel today.

Sláinte mo chara!

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Wow impressive claim to fame. I remember watching a documentary about how the song was made. A massive amount of work went in over a few years. From memory the record producer was married to the wonderful and much loved Kirsty McColl.

That opening stanza of mine is just my imagining of a backdrop to the song with emigres arriving in New York where one of their first sights being the Statue of Liberty. The poem itself is intended as a tribute to the song.

Thanks for reading it, Turlough. And thank you for leaving such an interesting comment. Paul

 

Submitted by sean mcnulty on

The song has never lost its magic.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Sean. It's a timeless song that never loses its lustre. I am convinced people love it so much because of its lack of sentimentality. It's a work of genius. Paul

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Another fine poem, Paul. Enjoyed it !!!

hilary  smiley

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Hilary. A merry Christmas to you. Paul

 

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Well, you drew me in with the title, my favourite Christmas song. I read it several times, each time liking it more, and it seemed as if I could hear them singing it. So Happy Christmas! smiley

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you for reading it. Yes, it's an iconic song and a big task trying to do it any kind of justice. It's many people's favourite Christmas song because it has so many layers to it and a stunning video, of course. Thanks again. Paul :)

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

That first stanza is a great beginning, and you've woven the lyrics into your poem very cleverly. Weirdly never ever get tired of that song, always sends shivers up my spine the first few notes :0)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, Di. It's magical isn't it? Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You draw the picture with sympathy, - and sadness? Drowning reality with Christmas glitter, and even bright stars and the delicacy of snow. Tragic and poignant, and cynicism not the unnecessary answer. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon. And such a thoughtful comment. The emotions are caught up in the song itself so if I have captured them in any way then I am happy. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by Rhymes And Reasons on

'Streets Of Tarmac And Concrete Are Sometimes Streets Of Gold.' Lovely Poem!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it. Much appreciated. Paul

 

Submitted by marandina on

Enjoyed "Van Hunks and the Devil". Something of a fable to it. Your work appears to be closed to comments so here it is above. Merry Christmas to you. Paul

 

Submitted by celticman on

I guess it's a classic. But Wizard is better. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

If only it could be Christmas every day. Thanks for reading it, CM. Paul