The last time I set foot on Coney Island, I was eleven, and eleven was many a moon ago! But as a kid, I thought it was EVERYTHING–weird, noisy, vibrant, alive. The Atlantic Ocean washed up to shore, and right where the tide fizzled out, I could squish the wet sand up through my toes.
The boardwalk held all kinds of treasures…from funnel cakes to a Ferris wheel, games of chance and skill, to an aquarium. Add to that the kooky, strange, oddly mesmerizing carny folk. If felt as if it were from another time–which, I suppose it was, considering that many of its structures were built around 1920. But in the years that have followed, I’ve only ever really thought about it on the Fourth of July, when grown men and women descend upon Nathan’s to suck down up to 75 frankfurters in a ten minute period in a quest to be crowned champion hot dog eater of the world. So, it’s odd that on my recent trip to NYC, in the midst of the Christmas holiday season, I started thinking about my old friend again, which led to me hopping into my mom’s car and making the 25 minute drive west along the Belt Parkway. I couldn’t help but wonder how my friend had fared over the years–and whether I was about to experience what sometimes happens when you run into the hot guy from high school years later, only to realize that Father time has been less than kind. But, fortunately, despite many of the shops being closed and the rides shuttered, Coney Island’s heart still beats loudly, and her character blazes through…
Old Russian men and women sit on benches, taking in the salty air
Boriquan dudes play salsa on their boombox, dancing about with flair
Stretching into the distance, as if trying to touch the horizon, a seemingly never-ending pier
Folks fishing, sunning, laughing, sharing stories with loved ones who stand near
The legendary Cyclone hibernating in silence as it approaches its ninety third year
Colorful rides of Luna Park, featuring the century old Wonder Wheel, waiting to get back in gear
A few more steps along the boardwalk, and I’m greeted by the lively barks of seal
And on Stillwell and Surf, the original Nathan’s, if you so desire a frankfurter meal
The place is like the land that time forgot, with its heavy nostalgic feel
An hour on the Q, F, or D from the glamour of Manhattan, yet it seems as if it belongs in an old time film reel
In the end, a love affair is rekindled, and that’s a pretty big deal
I look forward to a visit in the bustling summer, with the greatest amount of zeal
Good work…loved your look back. Words were cut off after seal…what did you write?
Hey Karen. Just saw your message. I don’t know why it was cut off. I kind of ended the blog soon after “seal.” Talked about the original Nathan’s hot dog restaurant there and about the carny folk, and had a couple of related pictures.