New Amsterdam

Cherry

By marandina

Wed, 03 Mar 2021
  • 3002 reads
18 comments
 

Our electric train glided to a stop,

humanity spilled onto waiting platforms,

worn stairs signposted sidewalk Heaven,

steam rose from polluted Subway grates,

thronging multitudes of newspaper carrion.

 

Spring had unveiled its cherry blossom face,

neon-lit diners perched on intersection corners,

hot dog vendors shuffled dollar change,

stores huddled under high rise monoliths,

sirens wailed, senses overwhelmed, mid-town mayhem.

 

Grey, slate skies circled 34th Street,

Metropolitan gateway to steel and glass,

we stood in a lobby of filigree gold,

iconic tower of rivets and dreams,

stories built in blood, scraped skies.

 

Standing on the roof of the world,

an icy breeze caressed our brows,

majestic rivers dissected urban sprawl,

a panoply of sound and motion,

boundless horizons of an Empire State.

 

It was a yellow cab we hailed,

darted through shoals of iron,

dropped at the jetty, Staten Island Ferry,

to traverse a harbour hinterland,

first sight for countless emigres.

 

Standing at the copper feet of Libertas,

shackles broken, symbol of freedom,

we lauded her regal torch held aloft,

for those who would be emancipated,

no longer prisoners of our souls.

 

*Image is my own

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Travel

Comments

Submitted by airyfairy on

Some lovely images - it is indeed a lobby of filigree gold.  You've captured the wonder of it beautifully.

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you for reading and those kind words, af. Much appreciated and thanks for the cherries, ABC.

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

It's certainly conjures up the place in concrete fashion. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Drew. Plenty of concrete in New York. I really must go back one day. Still the most exciting place I've ever been.

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

I loved it. Was there in 1991. I was a student. And in Milwaukee. As per Flamingo Hotel. It's all true! (Well, not quite.)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Is there anywhere you haven't lived Drew? You've led the life I wanted! :)

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

The past doesn't matter as it's always the past. It's only the now. But as it happens. It all sounds more exciting on paper. And other people had children and marriage etc. That wasn't an option back then. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

True enough although most people aspire to travel widely which you have done. I actually think the past does matter as it's all we end up with eventually. Memories. Of course, live for now and make your own future. There's often still time.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I read this right after Onemorething's Wren, what a contrast! You took me straight to a station like a teleport machine, and your poem is so vivid it feels like my own memory now. I liked "shoals or iron" very much, also "thronging multitudes of newspaper carrion" made me think, how news goes from old to dead, picked clean of all interest, blown away by the air around today's events. So much to think about!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Di. So glad you liked it. Paul :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Great poem, Paul. Very evocative, and as Di said, you are left with lots to think about. Some superb lines / images here too. :)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks Rachel. Made up that people liked it. I could go on about New York for hours! Paul

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

oh to be able to travel again! Wouldn't that be a thing? You have brought back many happy memories of one of my favourite cities - thank you Paul

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Claudine. I would say it's my favourite city full stop. Just loved it there.

 

Submitted by celticman on

a different world, one conjured and filagree. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, CM!

 

Submitted by jeand on

HI Paul

 

I had such fun reading this. I lived for a year on Staten Island  and spent a lot of time on the ferry. And that journey itself is so lovely, and it cost a nickle when I lived there.  I enjoyed everything about my year in New York, although I expect it would be more worrying to live there now. 

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading, Jean. That must have been so cool living on Staten Island! Paul :)