Below, a rhyming and semi rambling poem on some of my time here. It was meant to be an ode to the East Village, but it contorted into something else.. enjoy! Hopefully it makes you laugh as much as I laugh at it/with it.

There once was a girl named Hay,
Who feared that forever in St. Louis she may stay,
I thought of studying abroad,
But I knew I wasn’t a broad. (no disrepect)

I did some searching, on the internet and in my soul
and realized the fashion industry was my goal
I set up the interviews, I won them with my charm
and before I knew it, I had a handful of options, somewhat to my alarm.

I made my professional choice, now for the logistics,
luckily I found a great roommate, a fan of cool kicks.
We signed an apartment lease days after New Years
It was in the East Village, so close to my friends, we cheered!

The East Village, a huge mix of high and low
and we never had to say, “so, where should we go?”
Going out on the weekends was a breeze,
you just walk out of the door and the fun flowed with ease.
(no help from Coyote Ugly though, ew)

Favorite places included 11th street Bar, Stromboli’s, and MaMoun’s
Ha! Even 13th Step if we were feeling like wild loons.
No shortage of pizza, coffee, bagels in this part of the city
Added bonus: it ain’t pretentious so none of it was itty bitty.

My bedroom there lacked windows and was small
But hey, it’s about location after all.
I could run along the river and walk to work
Those were just some of the long list of perks.

The months passed and I realized I’d soon have to move,
Move from the East Village, a place that my dad said had a good groove.
So earlier this month, I said my farewell
and uprooted my ish to Brooklyn, to avail.

My neighbors changed from Coyote bar folk to Polish families,
it’s better for the ears, the eyes, oh and YO there are trees.
I still miss the EV… I used to spot celebrities,
but, they wouldn’t have time for Greenpoint pleasantries.

I shed a small tear every night due to memories,
KIDDING! Who do you think I am? Puh-lease.
But, living with new friends doesn’t stink,
We start and end our nights in sync.