Broadway Boogie Woogie

Rattling can clapping down
Times Square,
the whole length of the island
rotted bare,
the only raucous applause,
a jackhammer affair.

From the Avenue of the Americas
no parades,
Broadway’s been cut in half
these days.
billboards dangle,
velvet stanchion frays,
playbills clog gutters,
the marques fade.

Broadway Boogie Woogie
no more,
no neon lights,
locked Backstage door;
Will there be an encore?

This piece was prepared for d’Verse’s Poetics Tuesday. Laura has asked us to create an Ekphrastic poem from the title of a painting. Join us.

Piet Mondrian. Broadway Boogie Woogie. 1942-43 | MoMA — Piet Mondrian

31 responses to “Broadway Boogie Woogie”

Mister Bump UK

Nice. Happy memories. Guess it went quiet at the moment though.

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Ron.

NYC’s never been a favorite of mine, but the picture you painted here makes it far more appealing. Getting rid of all that hustle-bustle’s a BIG plus for me. Nice work!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  I have a hard time picturing it, but yeah, it must be quite an eerie sight. Thanks for reading and commenting , Ron.
  
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Helen Dehner

Yes, yes there will be an encore …. and I cannot wait to visit NYC, be part of an audience! Great take on the abstract art!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you for the doubly encouraging comment, Helen. I can’t wait!
  
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calmkate

yes I understand most city centres have been deserted this past year … so glad I live rurally but you’ve captured the poignant vacant deterioration well!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  The shows on Broadway were always at milestones. I’m hoping my next one I’ll be able to take in a new one. Thanks for reading and commenting.
  
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  1. calmkate
    
    I hope so for all of you over there … we are a lot better off here with restrictions lifted on everything except overseas travel … take care!
    
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johnlmalone

mournfully evoked scene of desolation; sure there’ll be an encore 🙂

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, John. Hoping to take in a show for my next milestone birthday, so yes, bring in that encore.
  
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  1. johnlmalone
    
    mile stone birthdays must be celebrated BIG !
    
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rogblog666

if i ever make pi to the states. nyc is on my list along with a trip to louisville to see my little brother. parts of london have been the same a ghost town.

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msjadeli

It’s with rue I read your assessment of Broadway these days. It will reanimate, soon I hope!

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abigfatcanofworms

It is sad. But I am sure it’s not forever. I love the poem. As always, from you, it is so evocative.

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Grace

I hope so as more will turn to outside pursuits & entertainments. I cannot wait for the city sounds again.

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Ken / rivrvlogr

Excellent commentary on the times.

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Tricia Sankey

Great rhythm and rhyme here, makes me feel like I’m walking the streets taking in the void. The encore will happen, I’m sure. 🍷

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Tricia. I’m awaiting it and just the return of live music, in general. Appreciate your comments.
  
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Ron Rowland

Great job of painting a picture of NYC today for me. I guess it never really sunk in how life and street scenes in a shoulder-to-shoulder city have been altered by the pandemic.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Ron. I saw an article a while back about Broadway, and it just seemed right to try and describe that place without the music. Greatly appreciate your comment.
  
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Laura Bloomsbury

a vivid picture you paint of Broadway without the boogie -some great lines especially
“the only raucous applause,
a jackhammer affair.”

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you kindly, Laura. I was “auditioning” city sounds and the jackhammer sounded just like the crowd. Appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
  
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Ingrid

I love this! I could imagine boogie woogie music playing in the background, and you created a sense of eerie emptiness and echoing – perfect for these covid times!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Ingrid. I was thinking of a bluesy sort of tune, and also, how it must be right now in Times Square. Glad the eerie feeling came across.
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

I really love that jack-hammer applause… made me think of Rapsodie in blue in that version from Fantasia

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Cool connection, Bjӧrn. Thanks for your positive comments and reading my post.
  
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sanaarizvi

We are almost there! 💝 A very heartfelt and beautifully composed poem 🙂

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Many thanks, Sana.
  
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rothpoetry

Perhaps your title should be 2020!! A great poem that reflects the deflation of all that was Broadway last year! Well done.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thanks, Dwight. Very true. I’ve wondered how it was this year, since there is still a lot of restrictions on crowds. Hopefully, a bit more lively than I described.
  
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  1. rothpoetry
    
    I think initially it was just as you described!
    
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