Wednesday, February 17, 2016

"Empire State Building"


Empire State Building

Surrounded as it is
by Tudor, Gramercy, Chelsea, and Hell,

this beacon of white,
within the city of eternal light,

proudly poses
upon a stubborn slip of land,

a lucent spire never resting,
tossing fear aside

proclaiming for its nation:
Freedom!

by Margaret Bednar, February 17, 2016

You're invited to Listen:  https://soundcloud.com/margaret-elizabeth-bednar/empire-state-building

The Empire State Building often changes its signature white for various colors for different occasions and organizations throughout the year.

ESB Timeline:  http://www.esbnyc.com/explore/historical-timeline

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Micro Poetry" - "One this snowflake (alighting) is upon a gravestone" e.e. cummings.   Well, there IS only one Empire State Bldg... and I chose a free verse style.  (no surprise there)

18 comments:

Jennifer Wagner said...

Cool, Margaret!

Jim said...

I never thought of the Empire State Building to proclaim 'Freedom'. Really though, I don't know its history and purposes except as an office building, tourist stop, and once the tallest building in the U.S. I envy you being there in the snow. We've been when Central Park had quite a bit but not otherwise. Love the picture. I <3 NYC.
..

Anonymous said...

great description of an iconic building

Magaly Guerrero said...

I seem to be falling for last lines today... I love what those two lines say... and how they say it.

Margaret said...

1956: As a symbol of welcome and freedom to visitors, four large beacon lights are installed at the foot of the tower known as “The Freedom Lights.”

kaykuala said...

A bit of history on a 'one-time-highest building' in the US. Thanks for the revelation Marge!

Hank

De Jackson said...

Nice take on the prompt.

C.C. said...

I like the way your mind works....to go from e.e.'s snowflake to thinking of the Empire State building as ONE unique thing alighting....so brilliant!! And beautifully executed, too.

Kerry O'Connor said...

Very nicely done, Margaret. You encapsulate the unique and eternal quality of this magnificent building. (I remember my one visit to NYC and ascending to the viewing balcony very well.)

brudberg said...

What a great beacon, and how you writing about that magnificent building, when I was in NY, the twin towers where still standing, so that's where we went.

Carol Campbell said...

A powerful tribute to an icon!

Outlawyer said...

Love your pics of NYC, Margaret, and also that you referred to Hell's Kitchen as "Hell!" Works well in that beginning. Thanks. k.

Gillena Cox said...

Luv the way you laud the beacon of history

Have a grand Sunday

Much love...

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Proud and triumphant......

Other Mary said...

I've always wanted to go, but have never been there. This makes me want to go even more.

Marian said...

Nice Margaret, it really does rise there.

tree said...

I love it when someone can take a metal object and turn it into a brilliant life.

Susie Clevenger said...

I've never stood there to see its beauty, but I feel a bit of its awe by reading your words.