New York, New York

Crowds descend to the Battery

As a million dreams ascend into an azure sky.

And the Hudson drenched in the glistening

Unrivaled glory of Manhattan’s skyscrapers,

Specimens of human ambition,

Forever preserved in concrete and glass.

Just three metro stops between here and the Empire State.

Sidewalks overcrowded with people,

Angry, depressed, saddened

Vulnerable, the city has thieved them of

Those naïve, childish dreams of success and money

And the satisfied, gratified, fulfilled,

Knowing that in this city of hopes and wishes

They have conquered the unconquerable,

Achieved the unachievable,

Succeeded in making themselves content

Basking in the reverence of success.

But a cyclist passes by, and a stray terrier trots over 5^th Avenue,

Both completely nescient to

The soaring spearheads ascending heavenwards above them.

Both completely aware that

If they can make it here,

They can make it anywhere.

And as the sun finally tosses its array of ruddy colors

Onto the blank canvas of clouds that lay, awaiting

Over this famed city of infinite possibilities,

One can’t help but feel a sensational feeling,

Suck in a breath of cool, humid air,

And finally say

I’ve made it.

Reviews

[SaRuGi]

I love it~ :) the lines " As a million dreams ascend into an azure sky.
And the Hudson drenched in the glistening
Unrivaled glory of Manhattan’s skyscrapers,
Specimens of human ambition,
Forever preserved in concrete and glass."
are my favorite! :)　

[Eddie Gao]

Glad you liked it! :)

[JLe]

I love this, it sort of made me feel like I'm in New York... You paint a lovely picture.

[Eddie Gao]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it - although I do not think I've done the whole idea justice with this poem. Hopefully one day, after living there (crossed fingers!), I might rewrite it! Thanks for the feedback!

[Arya Le Dasmones]

"Since they've made it here, They can make it anywhere". Stirs vague memories in my mind of a certain Glee song. But other than your less than perfect tendency to inspiration by rap songs, this is a beautiful poem. :) The rhythm, diction, description- perfection. Wonderful use of the word 'nescient' there, too, by the way. My only questions are, why is there a gap between "Basking in the reverence of success" and "But a cyclist passes by, and a stray terrier trots over 5th Avenue"? and, maybe rethink the contrast of 'completely nescient' to 'completely conscious'?

[Eddie Gao]

Please leave critique whether you like it or not!