"Autumn in New York"

Song title tailor-made for

A thoughtful haiku

 

Kids are back in school

Albeit wearing masks and

Socially distanced.

 

I watched the Midwood

Hornets football team lose big

To the Curtis squad.

 

The Yankees are still

Hoping to make the Playoffs 

But the Mets? Losing.

 

Leaves on trees starting

To go golden, and bark is 

Shedding in pieces

 

Spotted lanternflies

Look pretty but they're creepy

Kill them! Stomp them out!

 

Their invasion is

Nightmarish. How do we squash

All those pesky bugs?!

 

Broadway shows return!

Slowly but surely, we can

Watch the musicals.

 

"Come From Away" and

"Hamilton" and "Hadestown" have

Reopened! Woohoo!

 

The Met Gala was

Fabulous; celebrities

Wore opulent clothes

 

Controversial or

A fundraiser so fancy?

It's Manhattan, maaaan.

 

Jewish holidays

In swing; Sukkot, people are

Eating in square tents

 

Some sukkahs are built

On the sidewalks, while others 

Reside in backyards.

 

Then Simhat Torah

Much dancing, six feet apart

It's still spirited!

 

People back at work

More are in offices now

But many, online.

 

Others retired

Fed up with poor conditions

And nasty bosses.

 

If you wanna eat

Inside restaurants, show your 

Vaccination card.

 

I did, and we had

Desserts with friends from high school

In town to visit.

 

United Nations

In session. Traffic headaches

Galore, poor Midtown!

 

World leaders converge 

President Biden did speak.

Outside, cars honking.

 

Everyone makes

Their predictions. What will the

Winter be like? Will

 

More get the vaccines?

Or get sick? Will Wall Street be

Bull or bear? I care.

 

New York City will

Never be the same again

But it's always great!