6April2025
Promised daughter I’d write. Hope folk don’t mind if you inspire me a little. Memories wonderful, like “Crooklyn”, but get a little sad. Folk passing on. So, I will use words.
Fam goes from Carolinas straight to Brooklyn. I love NY. Many passed on. But I have words: Fulton, Chauncey, The Cyclone, Pacific Ave. pizza, PS 5 (?), Boys High, Cabarets, stingy brim, Flatbush, Delancey, handball, Coney Island, Bainbridge, snow cones, them kids told me I talked “country.”
Food words: Crisco, flour (seasoned), don’t throw out the grease, “not my recipe!” – Granny & Grandma compete. Children tell. Apple turnovers, “secret” fried chicken. Cakes-chocolate, coconut, sweet potato pie, greens, mac&cheese, pork chops etc. coffee-percolated, I always fall asleep.
Party Party. Sooo…what’s an Eastern Star, Prince Hall Mason. Cabaret time. Uncle Rudolf-a Black Dandy? ..always dressed fabulously, but he trying to bite my ears, so I run. They all dressed. Head to toe. Women and the men. I just watch in awe. I’m just a kid. Now, I’m thinking Met Gala 2025.
First Step Show: Big sis takes me to campus. We in the court yard with folk. Dudes come out and they git to “steppin”. Q-Dogs -uh oh!!. What is that? These other dudes-white & red, they got canes, slick. cool. Next -black & gold. “Okay now” Then they all go! What? Divine 9. Can I go to college?
Daughter is right. Record it, write it, something. It’s just that the memories are so sweet, I just get stuck in the daydream. Working on it, but “time” is chasing my ass🙂
