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:
Cool, Margaret!
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.
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great description of an iconic building
I seem to be falling for last lines today... I love what those two lines say... and how they say it.
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.”
A bit of history on a 'one-time-highest building' in the US. Thanks for the revelation Marge!
Hank
Nice take on the prompt.
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.
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.)
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.
A powerful tribute to an icon!
Love your pics of NYC, Margaret, and also that you referred to Hell's Kitchen as "Hell!" Works well in that beginning. Thanks. k.
Luv the way you laud the beacon of history
Have a grand Sunday
Much love...
Proud and triumphant......
I've always wanted to go, but have never been there. This makes me want to go even more.
Nice Margaret, it really does rise there.
I love it when someone can take a metal object and turn it into a brilliant life.
I've never stood there to see its beauty, but I feel a bit of its awe by reading your words.
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