Category Archives: brooklyn

GASLIGHT PINBALL by Peter Nolan Smith

Pinball was banned as a game of chance in New York City throughout most of the 20th Century. In 1976 a pinball wizard proved the contrary to a courtroom by calling out his shots to the amazed judges. The ace later acknowledged that his called shot was pure luck, however pinball machines once more populated […]

A Crescent Moon O’er Myrtle

A crescent moon in a clear sky Low over Saba Deli on Myrtle Avenue The tilt of the Earth 15% Two weeks after the vernal equinox The Autumn sun setting due West___ All estimates mostly guesses, Save one certainty The bankrupt DeKalb Tower Empty tonight. The epitome of the unbeauty of luxury condos___ ps I […]

Goodbye Columbus Day

Before the arrival of Christo Columbo in 1492, the New World was filled with empires, confederations, republics, city-states, and tribal lands. These diverse peoples represented a broad scattering of cultures. The population of the two connected continents has been estimated by modern historians to be approximately twenty-five million people from the Bering Straits to the […]

Dangerous At Any Age

Old Bill from Frank’s Lounge had been a numbers man for decades. We drank in the afternoons into the evening. Always dressed suit jacket and tie. “You know what’s bad about getting old. People don’t think you’re dangerous.” He opened his jacket. In the left side of his chest rested a .38. “This changes their […]

ROSH A HOMA by Peter Nolan Smith

Eight years ago I sat in Frank’s Lounge with Vince. The owner’s nephew and I discussed a teaching position as a creative writer. The offer sounded good and the Fort Greene native said, “Hell, I have a four day weekend thanks to Rush a homa.” “You mean Rosh Hashanah?” My boss from the Diamond District […]