Poet Meditates on New York's Cultural Rhythms in 'Manhattan Melody'

From a nickel's worth of macaroni and cheese at the Automat to a chic gallery on the Lower East Side, award-winning poet Patricia Faith Polak reflects on the rhythms that abound in New York City in her new poetry collection, "Manhattan Melody" (published by Archway Publishing). The debut book features 50 poems about New York and its beauty, diversity and humor.

"(I have) traveled widely and New York City is unparalleled in dynamism, cultural excitement, from financial capital to fashion capital, it is the world's polyglot metropolis," says Polak. The poet explains a city filled with poetic images is "worthy of versifying."

The subjects of the poems veer from the familiar New York City sites to personal landmarks. Polak's style utilizes wordplay, whimsy and musicality to echo the city's own vibrancy. Polak also ruminates on New York's bygone era, comparing it to its modern reality.

An excerpt of the poem, "Mornings at Seven" from "Manhattan Melody":
City blocks with donuteries, druggeries, and dry cleaners;
air temperate, as if March had rinsed it,
pounded it against the travertine on skyscrapers
until it was like a favored pair of jeans.

"Manhattan Melody"
By Patricia Faith Polak
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 116 pages | ISBN 9781480853874
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 116 pages | ISBN 9781480853867
E-Book | 116 pages | ISBN 9781480853881
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Patricia Faith Polak holds a Master of Arts in writing and a Master of Fine Arts. When she is not traveling, she works in investments and writes award-winning poetry. Polak's adventures have taken her from the Middle East to North Africa and to spending two eventful years in Eastern Europe and the then Soviet Union. She and her husband now call New York home.

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