Poems From the Jersey Shore Vol 17 - Dedicated to Jersey
Welcome to New Jersey
I’ve only lived in New Jersey for over a year but I’ve been coming here for many years. There are many customs and idiosyncrasies about my new home I look forward to learning.
In this grouping or poetry I’ve written poems about New Jersey from its love of pork roll, to the many retirement communities with thousands of seniors and even the unofficial state mascot the beloved Jersey Devil.
I hope you enjoy these poems.
Pork Roll or Taylor Ham
New Jersey is known for its pork roll sandwiches. Depending on where you’re from is, from what I understand, what you call them. Certain areas, especially around Trenton they are called Taylor Ham because of the factory of the same name hitch used to be there.
A pork roll sandwich is the one for me
I just love the muffin, egg and cheese
South Jersey can’t you see it my way
Come up, enjoy some pork roll today
No Taylor ham Is the sandwich we like
At breakfast what an oh so tasty bite
North Jersey come on see it our way
Have a Taylor Ham sandwich today
Yo guys aren’t they both the same
Taylor ham is pork roll by another name
Taylor Ham on a bun
Pork roll is the one
No matter the slice
They’re both quite nice
New Jersey we are there
Going Around the Circles
New Jersey is one of the few places I know where in many places order to make a left turn you have to either go right in a circle or turnabout. It is the inspiration for this poem.
Goin around the circles
Tryin to make a left
But first I must go right
To get where I want to get
Goin around the circles
Goin around the circles
Since I moved to Jersey
My driving habits changed
Now all my left turns
Start in the right lanes
Woo ah woo hoo, woo, ah woo hoo
Going around in circles,
Woo ah woo hoo, woo ah woo hoo
Goin around the circles
Tryin to make a left
But first I must go right
Goin around the circles
Goin around the circles
Retirementville
One of the best kept secrets about New Jersey is it isn’t a bad place to live when you retire. New the beach towns there are a lot of retirement communities. It is where I live and is the inspiration for this poem.
Sippin on some coffee
Watchin a little TV
Goin about my not so busy day
Watchin our my front door
I really don’t know what for
Sayin hi to people on their way
Wasting away the time in Retirementville
Searchin for something to pass the time
Some people claim retired life is lame
But I think I like it just fine
Don’t know what I’ll do
The next day or two
Maybe I’ll talk to my wife
But no matter what I choose
I’m in it win or lose
Cause I’m livin the retired life
Wasting away the time in Retirementville
Searchin for something to pass the time
Some people claim retired life is lame
But I’m quite sure I like it just fine
Blew off my old life
Stepped into free time
Sold my old house moved to a new home
In Retirementville
Older People
This poem is dedicated to us older people (Seniors) who live in the many retirement communities in Jersey. This poem is written to the tune of Randy Newman - Short People. It is meant to be humorous.
Old people are real people
Old people are real people
Old people are real people
Too
Though they’ve got
Little wrinkled hands
And half shut eyes
And they shuffle around
In straight lines
They have sniffly noses
Some have false teeth
They wear special shoes
On arthritic feet
Still it is good to
Have older people
Have older people
Have older people
Around here
Older people are the same
As you and I
Especially one such as I
All people are related
Until the day they die
In this big world
Old people are real people
Old people are real people
Old people are real people
Who need to be loved
Though they’ve
Got wobbly legs
And they bend a little low
You gotta stoop down
Just to say hello
They have soft voices
Which squeak, squeak, squeak
They love to talk to you
They go peep, peep, peep
Well there are older people
There sure are older people
There sure are older people
Round here
The Pine Barrens
One of the most fascinating things of me about living in New Jersey is the Pine Barrens. I enjoy the variety and shapes of the pines trees. To me it is like a surreal art work. It is also the inspiration for this poem.
I must confess,say it’s so,so true
I don’t think I will in my life see
Something as wild and peculiar
As the Jersey Pine Barren trees
The trees are so bent and twisted
In so many odd and unusual ways
As if shaped by unseen hands
Who were wonderously at play
These strange and curious pines
Are splashed over the Jersey landscape
The Pine are not a thing of beauty
But are really a good place to escape
To walk the many trails and byways
To see all the many wonderful sights
All the flora and fauna who reside there
In the morning, noon and in the night
I must confess,say it’s so,so true
I don’t think I will in my life see
Something as wild and peculiar
As the Jersey Pine Barren trees
Seaside, NJ
The closest beach town to me is Seaside Heights so I figured I’d thrown in a poem about going to the beach there.
Were goin to Seaside to play in the sun
Were goin to Seaside to have some fun
C’mon baby, baby let’s hit the sand
We’ll feel the hot sand between our toes
The lathered waves toss us to and fro
We’ll pass some time workin on our tans
As we sit on a blanket atop the sand
The cool ocean breeze will feel so good
As we walk the boards,grab some food
We’ll play some games, watch the lights
As we enjoy Seaside deep into the night
Going to Seaside to play in the sun
Going to Seaside to have some fun
So good, so good, baby let’s hit the sand
The Jersey Devil
Is a legendary creature who many people will say roams the vast Jersey pine forest. Some even swear they’ve seen one. Who knows if it is true or not?
Lurking in the deep darkness
Of the vast New Jersey pines
Is a scary little creature
People keep searching to find
The Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil
Have you ever seen
The Jersey Devil
Some people describe the creature
As having two horns on the head
And wings attached to its back
But none’s been found, alive or dead
Some who swear they’ve seen it
Say it has the face of the a Devil
Is the creature really pure evil
The Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil
Have you ever seen
The Jersey Devil
The Devil has become a legend
In the deep dark Jersey pines
Even to this day and in these times
People keep searching to find
The Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil
Have you ever seen
The Jersey Devil
Some Final Thoughts
There you have my first poem tour of my life in New Jersey. It has been an interesting ride so far adjusting to a new state and a new way of do things. Life in retirement community can be both enjoyable and a little to quiet. Well anyway. I hope you enjoyed the poems I look forward to writing more. As always if you have any ideas for new ones put them in the comments section. Well until the next time stay safe and try to smile each day.
© 2020 Timothy Whitt
