I missed Day 24 of the Na/GloPoWriMo 2019.  The challenge that day was to pick a reference book and blindly choose something from any given page.  Having no reference  books currently handy, I turned to Wikipedia.  One of today’s featured entries was on the Empire State Building.  It reminded me of when I visited New York City to try to help a friend recover from illness.

Empire State's Eternity
by Michael Romani

I had gone to New York City
To comfort a friend gone ill
I remember feeling it was a pity
And I feel that way still

While I was there
I photographed the boroughs; all five
All hours of the day, everywhere
It was good to be alive

There in all captured in digital
Was an art deco significant tower
That had an impression beyond visual
Even in the evening's growing hour

Skyscraper in midtown Manhattan
An icon of the fabled Empire State
Moments there felt like satin
The fall of the North Tower sealed its fate

In homage, I climbed those stairs for me
But mostly for you as a challenge and a dare
Up close as I could get to the Observatory
That holds a panoramic view beyond compare

Its story holds a race into Gotham's sky
You laughed as you told me the way
And while its height is reborn, you had to die
Maybe that's why I chose to forget until today

It is one of those things lost in the mist
That you had always wanted me to see
Just one of those things that I would have missed
Were it not for the sake of your legacy

I remember looking up with a heart loss glance
Up onto the top of that lightning rod spire
And I was glad to get that last simple chance
To look down on this world feeling so inspired

Indiana limestone worn strong on the outside
With a bronze motif depicting our nation's industry
The Eighth Wonder of the World in its American pride
From its height, you and I looked deep into eternity

(c) April 30, 2019  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved