Visiting New York

From war torn Belfast I fled in September
landing into a humid sweltering heat
Hot air rose from the city sewers
Yellow cabs darted horns honking
I could hear singers sing ancient
aires of celebration for the millions
who arrived before on starvation ships
I met the same person on the street
two days in a row and thought New York
its just a big village and I laughed
I embraced every nook and cranny
I asked endless directions to thirty
third street just to hear the sound


They became my family the whole city
They helped me forget the bullets
Forget the bombing the blood the gore
The nightmare of my daily life before
the universe presented me with a gift
New York welcomed me with open arms
Gave me shelter from the storm
I was alone but never lonely there
Oh my New York how I love thee still