There’s a breathless hush on the freeway tonight
as yesterday’s tomorrows file along the freshly baked concrete columns
and the chainlink fence flutters in the breeze adorned with the flowers
of those that now lay beside it.

And beyond it out in the harbour
Jerusalem’s lights still twinkle
as they have always done
freedom, liberty and hope
for everyone-
twinkle twinkle little star, rest at my shores whoever you are
she lies.
And the tourists at her feet file past in rows
trays in hand staring as the lady glows
on flouresent screens with hot dogs fries and drink
freedom from want, land of plenty, freedom to devour
in huge quantities the flesh
of desert flower
diverted, damned irrigated fell,
trees and indians to create this
hell in clound nine donchaknow
would you like cwafee with that
watch hades glow.

And yet- a silent chaos fills the sky
as the low dark clouds too file by.

And yet- The streets pause in breathless wonder
the streams of yellow thrown asunder
the engine’s roar broken by joyous thunder
and the dots on the ground stand in awe.

The nameless coat on the corner of 74th emerges from his shell
The 5th avenue plastics will stay in this hell
The sky turns red
-and who can tell-
The skyscraper shadows set alight.

The Hudson flows as it as it would on any night
a dark long gouge in the city light
and the traders trading stop and pause
wondering what they do it for
they stand and clap
drunk with love
for this city on a hill.

But out in the harbour the old hag weeps
her tears echoing throughout the recalcitrant streets
and the green metal sheets will encase her no more
the rivets are broken amongst the neon whore
and when the lady stirs you will once again see
of the things she- and we- came here for.