CITY SECRETS AND SECRET CITIES

The topic this week at Midweek Motif
is CITY.  I hope my offering isn’t too verbose.
I’ve always had a fascination for lost civilizations
and hidden mysteries.
Submitted to Poets United Midweek Motif
July 12, 2018


Beneath the bright lights and busy streets of some of our large cities lie secrets once forgotten or little known.  Seattle, Washington, is one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest.    It seems the original Seattle was built on a swamp, and had many drainage problems.  After the great fire of  1889, in which most of the old wooden buildings were destroyed, it was decided to raise the street level one story, and today’s Seattle was built upon the ruins of old Seattle's Pioneer Square.  Tours are available of portions of the original village, which lies below present day Seattle. 
Beneath New York City, with its bright lights of Broadway and Times Square, lies a tunnel through which cattle were moved to the slaughterhouses in days gone by.  Beneath the White House in Washington, D.C., are tunnels, some of which lead to the Treasury Building, the Executive Building, Blair House and the capitol.  Beneath the inner city streets of my own city lie catacombs, which may be toured for a pittance.

Deep in the depths of our oceans lie long ago submerged cities and civilizations.  The oceans hold yet more secret cities to be found.  Next time you walk the inner city streets of your city, you may be treading upon yesterday.   Next time you take an ocean cruise to far away places, you may well be sailing OVER cities long committed to the deep.

Something to think about.

SUMMER IN SUBURBIA

Looking out my window on a beautiful,
sun-kissed summer day,  some idle thoughts
come to mind.
Submitted to Poets United
Poetry Pantry, July 7, 2018
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Bird song competes with the hum of air conditioners
Summer sun beams dapple manicured lawns
Leaves  dance in light summer breezes

Jet trails criss-cross azure skies
Travelers peer down from lofty height
While those below contemplate their destination

Heat waves rise from cement streets of the ghetto
While laughter rises from opulent back yard pools
Creating contrasting vignettes of life in the city

It’s summer in suburbia