Skip to content
Linespedia

Ellis Island

By caleibow

Topics: Poetry Source: AllPoetry Original source

My grandmother came through Ellis Island1922left Rumaniaand the step mother with an iron skillet,and her father the old Rabbi.Kiks, huddled massessick, poor, Jews.She loved America.Though my father made a 100 grand a year,she was never impressed.A kosher butcher with his own shopa man should be his own boss.That was her American dream for her sons.I was born in AmericaEllis Island was abandoned when I was bornthe walls crackedthe windows shattered        ghosts coming to AmericaI don’t feel for America the way she did.Her America died in Throgs Neck New York 1983,and I can’t find my America,just ghosts crowding towards the turnstiles.Just wanted to see what all think. Written September 3rd, 2001 © on Sep 03 2001 03:04 AM PST   0 • 10

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"My grandmother came through Ellis Island1922left Rumaniaand the step mother with an iron skillet,and her father the old Rabbi.Kiks, huddled massessick, poor, Jews.She loved America.Though my father made a 100 grand a year,she was never impressed.A kosher butcher with his own shopa man should be his own boss.That was her American dream for her sons.I was born in AmericaEllis Island was abandoned when I was bornthe walls crackedthe windows shattered        ghosts coming to AmericaI don’t feel for America the way she did.Her America died in Throgs Neck New York 1983,and I can’t find my America,just ghosts crowding towards the turnstiles.Just wanted to see what all think...."

Attribution & Rights

Author:caleibow

Source:AllPoetry

"My grandmother came through Ellis Island1922left R..." by caleibow

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Classified Tags

Related lines

"Adolph smiles and eats the bratwurst.Benito sitting beside him, drinks the wine.The summer is hotBenito’s neck sweats.Eva is hanging shirts on a clothesline…hanging Jews on barbed wire. The summer has..."

"The night is heavytime slips by on muffled hooves.The night of operas is upon me,sad operas of unimaginable Floridasand cruel Carolinas.I am the man on the corner that no one notices.I’ve dined on my ..."

"Come take a walk with me down the avenue of bones,walk closethe street is narrow and crowded with ghosts,the bones of those trying to get home.The alley sweats.It is always hot on the Avenida del Hues..."

"An old man walks forward. He slightly drags his left leg, and inconvenience. His hair is gray and full, his gait strait and persistent. He walks with his head down concentrating on something far off, ..."

"It’s 103 degrees tonightmy neighbors wearing hot pants.She leaves my trailer in the cool morning.League night at Jiffy bowlI bowl 165.At work the next day I’m depressed.First snow in 15 yearsmy 60’s D..."

"The sign outside saidFive dollars for a hair cut,The barber pole was broken.'Never trust a bald barber'where did I hear that before?Larry, the barber wasn’t exactly bald,Greasy black hair 6 inches lon..."

caleibow

About caleibow

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"Adolph smiles and eats the bratwurst.Benito sittin..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.