Harlem Uptown Poem by Alfonso Siverls

I know I am odd
but I miss the old uptown
before the starbucks
and all the chic spots
when Fridays night
was jumping until the
sun peak up into the next
morning, and music was loud and flowing
in pace with your heartbeat and you became the note
dancing all night and your troubles away

I miss the old uptown
the Saturday morning when old folks
started their routine just as did the Saturday before
and all the Saturdays before that
before McDonalds and coke cola
became the Saturday rituals
when trips to the barber shop and laundromat
was the business of the day, after you
got over that Friday night hangover

I miss the old uptown
the ringing of church bells on Sunday morning
folks dress in their best, women with big hats, men with funny suits
shoes of all colors, walking, taking the bus, all heading to houses of
worship of all imaginable sizes

I miss the old uptown
especially since
uptown became downtown