CENTRAL PARK

The Park is central, fenced by multitudes
Of buildings, walls of brick and glass and stone.
We leave for a while the traffic’s sullen roar
And trace an arabesque hypotenuse.

It’s March, a dull sky, a cool breeze,
No flowers in bloom, just kids on roller skates,
A few walkers. The scene is mostly grays,
Reluctant hints of color in the trees.

It’s not an Eden, but it is a garden.
Outside, the myriad human bodies burrow
Like ants or flit like bees to their lofty floors.
Here on the gently-rolling ground we’re partners,

Secure companions, talking, moving, a center
And focus of thought and memory and adventure.

(14, April 3, 1992)

Comments

I haven’t spent much time in New York Central park. I did see a documentary on how it was designed and created – destroying an existing multi-cultural village and farms.

See this link for a famous Christo art project called “The Gates” which was installed in Central Park.

[John Alvord 11-7-2025]

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