Tremont & Prospect

What with the economic crisis that the country and the world are confronting, people often ask me how it was back in the great depression of the thirties. I have many memories of those times and here is one that I decided to write as a piece of prose poetry. Enjoy. RS

A time confused nonagenarian am I.

It was around nineteen thirty three,

The golden age of Burma Shave and Moxie.

Referring to the whole friggin’ country as “we,”

We were deeply, I mean deeply mired

In a very severe depression.

So were the people around Tremont & Prospect.

Locals called it “Four Corners College of the Streets.”

Communists, Trotskyites, DeLeonists, Evangelists,

Single Taxers, Townsendites and Anybodies.

Absolute salvation was to be found in

Dictatorship of the Proletariat, World Revolution,

General Strike, Jesus is our leader.

One tax for all and $200 for all over 60,

Free gas for GM cars, stuff like that.

Fervently we believed in our messages of deliverance.

All had the answers to what was ailing us.

Each hollered it from one corner to the next

Right there on four corners in the Bronx.

The Young Communist League was singing

“Hold The Fort,” “Arise Ye Prisoners of Starvation.”

Then one fateful night Esther said,

“It’s your turn to speak.” I said “You’re crazy.”

Somehow I was pushed up there.

A crowd of puzzled faces stared back at me.

From whence it came I shall never know,

But speak I did.

Capitalism will solve its problems

On the backs of the working class.

Fascism is the way it does it.

Big round of applause. My audience grew,

Causing consternation on three corners.

Attacks came from all three,

“He’s a liar! Communist Traitor! Anti Christ!”

Wow, that last one was scary.

“Esther, what am I to do?”

“Just keep going. You’ve got them listening.”

And keep going I did.

Shouted, “You want jobs?”

The crowd responded, “Yes.”

“Join us Friday in Union Square.

The power of the working class will stop fascism.

Yes, we’re on the road to socialism.

Unemployment, bread lines, evictions, poverty,

All will be quaint memories from the past.”

Now me a seasoned “Soap Boxer,”

A regular on Tremont & Prospect.

On fire this night, damming capitalism

Seemed to have me in its grip.

“It’s the Robber Barons, Ford, Dupont, the Fricks

Who have stolen your lives.”

Suddenly the garbage, the rotten eggs came flying.

Splattered, I here Esther say “keep going.”

Defiant fist in the air, “Socialism is the way.”

Pushing through the crowd came

A little old shiny faced lady. “I’m a Nun you know.”

“Yes, the glow told me so.”

Her arms outstretched with a St. Christopher Pendant.

“Remember to always wear this.

He will protect and keep you from harm.”

I really did want to thank her.

Quietly as she came, so she slipped away.

And me always wondering

Where did that soap box voice come from?



Thanks Kate N.H.W.Y.