They Will Never Know
Tillie is the nickname of two murals of a grinning figure that were painted on the side of the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States. Tillie is an amusement park “fun face”, painted over the winter of 1955-1956.
When I was younger my mother used to take us to Asbury during summer break. We used to spend all day on the beach, and then hit the boardwalk for dinner and the attractions.
Since then the amusements and entertainment have been removed. There is no mirror house. There are no bumper cars. The carousel has been silent for a long time now. I wrote this poem to pay homage to my childhood.
My kids will never know the smile on his face
Will never know the warmth of his haunting eyes embrace
They will never know the joy that Tillie brought to me
Of the wonderland of sights and sounds, a place called Asbury
Never know the sounds of the Palace bumper cars
Or the twinkle in the sky at night from a carpet of shiny stars
They will never know the joy that Tillie brought to me
The music in the air, the sounds, and lights lovely
Forever there’s no wind, blowing through their hair
The sun beating down upon their skin, why is life so unfair
They will never know the joy that Tillie brought to me
While I ran along the sand on the beach beside the sea
I wish I could go back to that oasis by the sea
Where I’d laugh, and play, and listen to every memory
They will never know the joy that Tillie brought to me
Of being young, and brave, and full of fantasy
But the Palace is no more, it is a mystery
Wherever Tillie went, I hope he’s not lonely
They will never know the joy that Tillie brought to me
Of the wonderland of sights and sounds, a place called Asbury.