I am the grand central
swirling vortex of the known universe
pathway of consciousness
a worldwide metaphysical interconnection
hub of modernity’s magnificent metropolis
prime mover of it's empowered citizenry
eye of a Mid-Atlantic megalopolis
bridging an expanse from Boston to DC
trajectories of an Acela Express
accelerates time, coheres a region
magnetic compass axis
gyroscopic core
web of iron rails
touches all
transcontinental
cardinal ordinates
my constitution of chiseled granite blocks
manifests steadfast immutability
opulent terminus of marbled underground railways
subconscious portals to inter-borough worlds
the Zodiac streaks across my painted heavens
splashing aspirational mosaics of
bold citizens onto universal canvasses
my exhalations burst galaxies,
birthing constellations
promising potentialities of
plenteous abundance
as a right of all
global citizens
transit vehicle for mobilized classes
of fully enfranchised republicans
my tendrils plunge deep into
cavernous drilled bedrock
firming an unshakable edifice
-a new rock of ages-
rails splay out to the
horizons farthest corners
northern stars, southern crosses
nearest points on a sextants reckon
I am the iron spine
of the globes anointed isle
I co-join Harlem and Wall Street
as beloved fraternal twins
commerce, communication and culture
is the electricity surging through my veins
the worlds towering Babel
rises from my foundations
the plethora of tongues
all well understood
I open the gateways of knowledge
guarded by vigilant library lions
route students and scholars to
the worlds most pronounced public schools
beatific Beaux Art is boldly scrawled on my walls
in dark hued blues sung in gaudy graffito notes
swanky patrons sip martinis,
nosh bagels with a smear and **** down
shucked lemon squirted oysters
reason, discovery and discourse tango
to the airs of Andean Pipe flutes
with violence and discordant dissonance
deep within my truculent bowels
I am the road to work,
a pathway to a career and
the ride to a Connecticut
home sweet home
my gargoyles and statuary laugh
at pessimistic naysayers
I am the station for
centurions, bold charioteers
homeless nomads and
restive masses
I stir a nation of neighborhoods
into a brilliant *** of roiling roux
beams of enlightenment
stream through colossal windows
today's epiphanies of the fantastic
actualize resplendent zeitgeists
sipping coffee in my cafe's
the full technicolor palette
of humanity is revealed;
civilizations history is etched
forever upon the mind
eight million stories
of the naked city is bared
as splendorous tragedy
it's comic march
of carnal being
exalted
a million clattering feet
scurry across marblized floors
polishing the provenance
burnishing a patina
exuding golden footprints
I am 100 years young and
thousand years away from
the crash of a demolition ball
Doric Columns and
elegant archways
coronate commuters
each day with a
new revelation of a
democratic vista
I am the grand central
my spirit flows as
one with the mass
in the vibrant
heart of our
throbbing city
Music Selection: Leonard Bernstein, On the Town
written to mark the 100th Anniversary of Grand Central Station
Oakland
2/8/13