New York Street Games - The Movie

Cant wait for the movie - Here is a poem I wrote a few years ago. I hope you like it

My Bronx
By Steward “Tony” Pacheco

I miss the smell of wet concrete, on a hot, wet summer day.
The sound of stick-ball in Bronx streets, were we used to play.
Skellies on the pavement, Slugs against the wall
The sound of playing Kick The Can, the smell of a Spaldeen ball

I miss the Handball, Football, Baseball, without equipment and on the fly,
from street to street, we challenged all, on concrete Hot and Dry.
I miss the girls I dated, so sweet, so smart, so shy.
These things are what made me a man, as my teenage years went by

I miss the Irish, Italian, and Jewish dads, that taught a kid like me
That we all had something, which we could share, to help us better be.
All the confrontations, good friendships, as well as hard times,
My kids have all they want now, but “My Bronx” I can't supply.

Parades on the Grand Concourse, Orchard Beach, when we skipped school,
Ice cream sodas at Krum's back then, Hippies that were cool.
The Loews on Fordham Road, the Kent and Astor too.
We would sneak in from time to time, to see a flick straight through.

The Yankees and the Giants, at “My Bronx” Stadium they would stay,
Spinning Tops and Skelly Caps were the weapons of that day.
We all invented skateboards, before they were in stores,
Nailing half a Super Skate, to rusty 2X4's.

Always an explorer, visiting all the blocks,
Meeting all kinds of people, in our Converse and holey socks.
We ran and jumped and climbed and dug in whatever park close by.
We had so many kids around and never had to sigh.

Now I am in Texas, living large, some may say
I am My Bronx, I act, I speak, I carry it all day.
I am unique, in this Lone Star State, and they accept me that way.
I owe most of that, to Catholic school and the yardstick of that day. ;0)

It's kind of funny how life turns out, but no matter where I go.
I'm proud of being from My Bronx, It's a pride, most will never know.
Though God in all his mercy, has pulled this Bronx Boy out
When I'm asked " Where are you from? "

“THE BRONX” is what I shout.
steward@thepachecos.ws

Attachments:

AngieTonyMiami.jpg, 9 KB

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Fred Casiello on May 12, 2009 at 5:57pm: This is great. Even though I grew up in Queens (not that much different), I attended both high school (St. Helena's, now Msg. Scanlon) and college (Manhattan) in the Bronx. I would like your permission to copy your poem and forward to friends and relatives (with your name, of course).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steward "Tony" Pacheco on May 12, 2009 at 9:46pm: Hi Fred, Please do forward it. It is for the people of my city, my era, my memory. Just so you know, in 1973 I moved to Jamaica Queens where I met my wife of 33 years (a brooklyn girl). Join the marines after some time at Power Memorial Academy, so we a a lil bit in common. I am honored that you enjoyed the poem. I am please it will get around.
Ciao
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
www.thepachecos.ws
steward@thepachecos.ws; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt Levy- Director/Producer on May 13, 2009 at 11:49pm: Fred,

I'm the Director of this film and also from the Bronx. Love the poem!!!!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steward "Tony" Pacheco on May 14, 2009 at 2:14pm: Hi Matt

You are a good man for doing this project. May Angels ride your shoulder. Gods Speed.

Tony; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt Levy- Director/Producer on May 14, 2009 at 3:49pm: Just wait til you see my film!!!!! Your gonna feel like a kid again. Thanks for the compliments.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laura Jongberg Austan on May 14, 2009 at 12:47pm: Jeez, Tony, ya made this old Brooklyn Girl cry. May I also forward it? I don't think my brothers will cry, but it'll certainly bring them back to the good old days. Thanks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steward "Tony" Pacheco on May 14, 2009 at 2:07pm: Hi Laura,
This poem is for everyone my friend. My wife loved it and she's a Brooklyn girl, who had really strict parents. She read it and said "Gee, I missed alot". Thats probably why I take her everywhere to do strange things and cool stuff (I'm a big 10-year old).

When we all were kids, didn't we explore more?, take risks?, compete?, Invent? and have so much fun doing it. There are many who (like my Honey Bunny Angie) who do not know. This poem, This film, This Board, and All of us on NYSG's, can maybe, just maybe, re-light the fire. What do you think? Pass it on!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony Castro on May 18, 2009 at 8:48pm: hey Pacheco,

Wow ... great piece! Although I grew up in Rockaway Beach, Queens, there are parts in the poem that reflect the lives of many (including myself) who grew up back in the day when kids were kids. We've been truly blessed to have experienced what we did. Your poem brought it all back.

God bless you & thanks for sharing your master piece.

Tony Castro; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steward "Tony" Pacheco on May 18, 2009 at 10:59pm: Thanks Tony
It means a lot. It actually brings a tear of joy to this ol Marines eyes, that at least 1 person was touched by this poem let alone 3 or 4. Thanks.

Life in itself can be filled with many pitfalls that can lead us to forget our youth. I started looking at life again through a 10 year olds eyes. What could I lose by doing so? I have only gained and my life, my family, my kids, have reaped the benefit. We laugh every day, and even though I am a professional, I am one of the few who leads with laughter. We only have so much time left and have wasted time on lesser things. Lets not forget how even a mopstick and a pink ball made us heroes on a boring summer day. Pure joy is what we discover, when we open our eyes as children again. God Bless ;-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ROBERT MIRRA on July 23, 2009 at 12:02am: GREAT POEM, I LOVED IT. I GREW UP OVER THE BRIDGE IN QUEENS, BUT YOU KNOW SOMETHING ITS REALLY JUST A NEW YORK THING.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lori Kramer on August 2, 2009 at 3:51pm

Hey Tony.....great poem of memories. Thank you for sharing.
I love what you said about starting to look at life through a 10 year old's eye....amen to that. Althought I just turned 51, I feel like I'm 23 again. They call it "playing with the child within"....what a gift to be able to take that "little girl out to play" and nurture & love her back to health (from events of the past; life's twists & turns, detours).
I grew up in Brooklyn, moved to Howard Beach at 12 yrs old...back to Brooklyn & off to Staten Island. I'm now in Boca Raton, FL & love the life. Take the girl out of Brooklyn, but ya can't take the Brooklyn out of the girl!!!!! Look forward to running into you here on this website. smiles, smooches & huggs, Lori :>)

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mom only 2.08.bmp, 85 KB

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Permalink Reply by Steward "Tony" Pacheco on August 3, 2009 at 6:35pm: My sister in youth Lori ;-)
Im all business, but it does not take away my joy for life and my inner child, my fearless part, full of exploration. When I get out of line with my lifes path, my BROOKLYN wife sets me straight.
trust me, she sweet and innocent, but what is it with that "Bklyn look of death" I think Bronx men and Brooklyn women seem to click very well.

Been to Howard Beach quite a few times to play handball, really liked the area as it looks like westchester in the old days in the Bronx.

Will talk to you soon, maybe Ill write about Bkln Girls from back in the day ;-) Thanks for the nice words. Enjoy the beach!!!; ▶ Reply to This