By Savage Writer

The winter of Newark.
Christmas cheer has dawned on the town
whilst the steamy, feverish cups of hot chocolate
pushes hollow air into the atmosphere.

Spring trots along amid the clear, warm weather
and bone-chilling coolness of the air.
You begin coming out of your windbreaker
as each school in the city attends their prom.

From Arts High to West Side—
families from the Weequahic section
all the way to Vailsburg popping up at the
red carpet just to see their loved ones
decked out in two-tone suits,
tinted shades, and diamond studs.

Hopscotch, double-dutch, boys who ball up—
the day feels like it’ll never end as all the children play outside.
Momma tells you to be in the house
before the streetlights come on.

Youngins are only allowed to ride their bikes at the corner.
They might not be able to return home if they turn it.
Savory cookouts, the welcoming smell of
baby back ribs being barbecued to perfection.
The entire city is outside.

Block parties in the South Ward
all throughout Bergen Street,
Osborne Terrace, and Renner Avenue
draws more visitors than
Times Square in Manhattan.
The fresh, spanking new tunes of Jersey Club
emitting through the speakers as they blurt:
I said it’s Lil Man, who else?

Teenagers are out there hitting every move
from left to right, side to side, front and back
the DJ eggs them on to do so that the crowd watching can be wooed.
The DJ mixes it all in with a plethora of dance classics such as
Superman, Follow Me, Mr. Postman and the Cha-Cha Slide.

Everyone is out there grooving, having a wonderful time.
School starts once autumn dawns upon Newark.
D-boys gotta hustle hard so that
Grandma can cook a turkey this year around.
Football is now back in season.

Weequahic and Shabazz teams
Always face off that day.
Players who will never become pro have only that
one opportunity to shine their brightest.

Giving it all they’ve got to run
a one-pound ball into the endzone
as they don their weighted equipment with
the logos bleeding their school’s pride.

Gladiators stepping onto the field.
Family, friends, and mentors
cheering them on with each boy
making plays precisely.
Sweat, saliva, and tears flying through the air.
Quarters of the Thanksgiving showdown wraps up.
Victory!

Khali Raymond, also known as Savage Writer, is an author, musician, actor, spoken-word artist, photographer, and content creator born and raised in Newark. He has an AS in Business Administration from Berkeley College (2019) with a BA in English from Kean University (2022).

Featured Image: Tom Wiedmann. Tom is a photographer and current Newark-based employee for a local nonprofit. His work has been showcased in local publications and, most recently, the Nork! Photo Fest, where it was featured in outdoor exhibits located in Harriet Tubman Square and near the Passaic River in the Ironbound.