Dawn Forever Rising

Dawn Forever Rising It starts Street lights fade their tiny soft-winged tenants flee checkerboard facades change last night's illumined squares now dark become but yesterday's portals some polished some weather streaked all reaching to reflect first breath Steam ascends from the city's vacuum gratings rattle with subterranean yawning people-movers wind their way through mazes of starts stops Topside tracks like fixed contrails glisten with frost not yet enjoined by speeding transit their skeletal tributaries readying the trickle of humanity into a mass ocean of glass and steel survival Uptown Downtown A street sweeper's tire rubber and swirling brushes beneath the overalled believer in Lottos holding firm the wheel and gears of faith of trust gathering gutter-lodged disposal glass and plastic paper and cardboard spinning into the vortex lifting yesterday's careless cast-offs inviting today's Starbuck anew reflections of another kind Leashes strain from anxious sniffing bladders hold ready to burst seeking just the right tree the right hydrant the "ah, yes" that only a canine can know Rays of sun begin spilling down alleyways the long-tail rodents scamper for cover their bellies full seeking safety after a long night of ancient ritual food of anything digestion of history all in a night's work Suddenly Full light cascades down avenues and streets itinerant pigeons and seagulls spread habitual wings ready to adore the steadies the loners park walkers window ledge dependables homeless with dance cards of crumbs envying the moneyed insomniacs throwing chunks baguettes gone stale fit for few a feast for many senses loving the coos and warbles the bobbing thank you the reciprocal bonding few but the lonely can appreciate Finally The steel and glass imitation of nature comes fully alive a sun's illumination without reserve energy's provision for another day Rich mix with the poor money exchanges hands the hotdog vendor the hedge fund taker the cookie jar provider Most become tomorrow's yesterday knowing little of the other light requiring no rising or setting illumination that never grows dim something as nothing forever light never of darkness Such for some awakens from a New York sunrise this dichotomy like no other forever reminding our eyes of dawn one's inner light is forever rising