F.L. MY CITY 

By Jeffrey Mijares 

 

I come from Fair Lawn, NJ. 

A Russian-Jewish suburb  

with a Catholic church on every other corner. 

Colonial-style homes fill quiet blocks. 

A railway runs through its heart  

gathering a collection of bumpers on the Morlot crossing. 

 

I come from safe and sound. 

Where that fox in Radburn claimed another cat. 

Where every month a bust for guns, weed or cocaine makes a headline. 

Where news stations invaded our streets  

when a body was found in Janoris Jenkins’s home. 

Everyone worries Paterson is spilling over. 

 

I come from a growing town 

where renovations and expansions  

for the overcrowded schools happen every year. 

Where new apartments are built upon the chemical dump  

that left the land barren for decades. 

Locals complain about the traffic construction causes 

and the crowd affordable housing attracts. 

 

I come from teens chillin at “R-Lot” till 1 A.M. 

Hittin their juuls and exchanging pods, 

Tossin’ around the “High St.” sign that’s been missing for months.

Sayin’ that the Fair Lawn schools are trash 

While their neighbor packs for UPenn. 

 

I come from a town not known for anything 

besides the Nabisco Factory that sits on the edge, 

teases us with the aroma of freshly baked cookies 

When there’s nowhere to eat around here. 

 

 

Jeffrey’s Bio: 

 I’m a current sophomore intending to major in Genetics. I don’t consider myself much of a writer or poet. However, Professor November’s creative writing class has given me a medium to tell all my funny stories and to explore myself as a writer.