Haikus for New York City: Seventeen Syllables For Nine Million People

There are infinite stories about New York City, here are 41 in haiku form.

In this love letter to his favorite city, lifelong New Yorker Peter C. Goldmark, Jr. has crafted a collection of haiku that are simultaneously nostalgic and perceptive. Touching on everything from the city’s beloved landmarks to the rising costs of living and the famous lie, There is a train directly behind this one, the poems in this book capture the true essence of this special place.

Given everything New York has endured recently, this book offers a timely celebration of a unique and wonderful city and its people-written to honor the ties and realities that bind them together. Alongside the sweet, and often funny, haiku poems, wistful illustrations help bring New York to life.

From the preface by the author:
And then as 2019 and 2020 unfolded, both our country and our city came under stress. The adventure in self-government in America began to wobble seriously. And then the COVID pandemic hit. All this made me realize how much I valued my city-its beauty, its diversity and variety, its remarkable people, its grit and resilience…and how fragile and unique it was.

A portion of the proceeds supports Citizens NYC, a non-profit that helps neighborhoods work together to meet challenges like COVID.