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)
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18 comments:

  1. Jennifer WagnerFebruary 20, 2016 at 2:52 PM

    Cool, Margaret!

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  2. JimFebruary 20, 2016 at 8:06 PM

    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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    Replies
    1. MargaretFebruary 20, 2016 at 10:09 PM

      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.”

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2016 at 8:36 PM

    great description of an iconic building

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  4. Magaly GuerreroFebruary 20, 2016 at 8:40 PM

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

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  5. kaykualaFebruary 20, 2016 at 10:16 PM

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

    Hank

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  6. De JacksonFebruary 20, 2016 at 11:38 PM

    Nice take on the prompt.

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  7. C.C.February 21, 2016 at 12:06 AM

    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.

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  8. Kerry O'ConnorFebruary 21, 2016 at 1:34 AM

    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.)

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  9. brudbergFebruary 21, 2016 at 1:54 AM

    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.

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  10. Carol CampbellFebruary 21, 2016 at 9:03 AM

    A powerful tribute to an icon!

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  11. OutlawyerFebruary 21, 2016 at 10:41 AM

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

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  12. Gillena CoxFebruary 21, 2016 at 12:26 PM

    Luv the way you laud the beacon of history

    Have a grand Sunday

    Much love...

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  13. Sherry Blue SkyFebruary 21, 2016 at 2:33 PM

    Proud and triumphant......

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  14. Other MaryFebruary 21, 2016 at 3:29 PM

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

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  15. MarianFebruary 22, 2016 at 6:27 AM

    Nice Margaret, it really does rise there.

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  16. treeFebruary 24, 2016 at 11:45 AM

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

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  17. Susie ClevengerFebruary 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM

    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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