By Laura Daniels

Gramps running numbers in Newark
through his taxi stand on Broad and Market
got run over by his Friday night goomar
son stole his gold watch at the morgue

he was left behind during World War II
fell into the lifestyle he saw around him
rode his taxi and, in his free time, collected
numbers for the Big Guy, he took the bets
got his cut of the action

Gramps gangster days helped fill
the ration gap, if you needed it, he found it
off the back of a truck on the Ironbound docks

never a shortage in his household
Ma had silk stockings, butter, candy
everyone had sugar in their coffee

no rationing coupons required
there was plenty of gas for the car
an abundance of meat and cheese

occasionally, he spent time at Rahway
State Prison, he was no
snitch, plus three-square meals
and free accommodations

Laura Daniels is a neurodivergent multi-genre writer who founded the Facebook blog The Fringe 999 and edits The Fringe 999 Poetry Forum. She’s recently curated in One Art, Journal of New Jersey Poets, and Smarty Pants Magazine for Kids. She facilitates a free monthly online writing workshop through Mary’s Place by the Sea for women whose lives were touched by cancer. Her book Gentle Grasp (Kelsay Books) is available on Amazon, in bookstores, and in local libraries. She resides in Mount Arlington, New Jersey. Follow her at lauradanielswriter.wordpress.com and @thefringe999

Featured image: Kris Charlery, a multidisciplinary artist and photographer based in New Jersey whose work explores the intersections of community, environment, and memory. Her recent project, The Anderson Project, was featured in the 2024 Newark Arts Festival and supported by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as a 2024 Grant Finalist. Through portraiture and storytelling, Charlery documents the people and places. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestargardenstudios/ Website: https://krischarlery.photoshelter.com/index/G0000jeeFuazsMWE