My New York: City Poems

Born in Brooklyn in the 1930s and now living in Manhattan Betty Farber uses warmth and humor in writing poems that are love letters to New York City. Whether about a Butterfly in the City or Everyday Bravery or Bagels and Romance these poems voice a personal point-of-view of life in New York. The following poem was inspired by a conversation Betty overheard when she was in line to buy bagels. BAGELS AND ROMANCE Bagelworks on First Avenue Sells a variety of bagels To please anyones taste. Im waiting for my order to be filled. A woman behind me is talking On a cell phone to her boyfriend. Im at Bagelworks right now. What kind of bagel do you want: Sesame whole wheat pumpernickel Sourdough poppy seed everything? What? A plain bagel? She is incredulous And complains to the nearest stranger I thought he was unique unconventional And he orders a plain bagel. I may Have to rethink this relationship. That man is in deep trouble I say to myself As I pay for my bagel order. With an eye on my own relationships I take home sesame sourdough everything. Bettys poetry articles and stories have been published in magazines and journals. She received her B.A. in English and Elementary Education from Webster College in Webster Groves Missouri and her M.Ed. from Memphis State University in Tennessee. She is active at Quest a community for lifelong learning affiliated with the City University of New York.