It squats at its grand central beckoning place
Now dwarfed but still a monument to awe,
Stone columns zooming urgently erect
To amiably support vast marble hall;
Façade ascends – the structure’s bones enfleshed,
Toward glazed iconic Tiffany telling time,
Reminding of life’s rigid schedules yet
Or moments missed through haste or slothful pace.
Madly rushing minions freeze-blurred
To anonymity in stolen focus,
Anima/Persona’s seized élan
All turned to stone, glazed faced, awaiting terminus.
“Anima/Persona’s seized élan
All turned to stone, glazed faced, awaiting terminus.”
This is signature Mike.
I grew up in NYC, went to Stuyvesant High School in the city.
Your familiarity with the subject must be responsible for such a lovely comment.
Actually, Mike, it was simply and purely my sense for how you write that helped me recognize your
signature.
Love it! I especially love the phrase “façade ascends”. It creates a great picture and is just so darn fun to say.
Thanks Borski – your phonetic appreciation of fun is a reminder to this poet of how our words should be enjoyed.
Always a pleasure reading your poetry, Mike.
Thanks Brent and right back at ya!
Hi Mike! Most impressive. Your words, the associations, the connections. I lived in New York for a period so I totally get this piece. Once again, most impressive.!
I’m am quite chuffed to have attracted such comment from a one-time New Yorker and am delighted that you see it as I did Penny.
You have grasped exactly what I attempted to achieve with this piece Ken – I thank you very much for your complimentary remarks.
A well produced descriptive poem, which endows the 42nd Street location with a ceratain monumental grandeur in each cleverly composed line.
Womderful physicality in the verb use (squat, zooming) – great capture of a historical and lively part of the city.
Thank you kindly Rowan – I enjoyed writing this recollection; like St. Pat’s, it struck me as tradition overrun by the future.
Mike, is this a re-blog or a re-write? I love the opening line and felt that I had read it some timeless amount ago.
Thank you john http://michaelmcguire.com.au/2013/03/20/recycling/
I’ve never been to NYC but your descriptive words here makes me feel as if I have 🙂 Great write my dear friend….
The optimal compliment – thanks Roxi.
A still, golden moment frozen in time, with words to match – nice one Mike.
Ana mhaith ar fad.
Exactly Chris, thank you.
Your welcome.
The poem really captures Grand Central. Great job.
Thanks Charles, the place certainly made an impression on me.
I thank you for your apt observation and encouraging words.
Classical monuments may be dwarfed by the modern ones, but history will always marvel at their excellence. a lovely piece
Your assessment is much appreciated Helen and I thank you for you kind words.
Very lyrical, great imagery, and a sense of the history you write of in the elegant wording…really like this piece!! 🙂