To a High-Rise

By Tom Page

Because a great building is symbolic
Of human aspirations and derives,
In a human way, from some arcane idealism,
It becomes contrapuntal to our lives,
A shining promise to a future day.

In dauntless Olympian inspiration,
This tower stabs skyward;
Illuminated, sparkling in sunlight,
Supple and eloquent against the wind,
Christened by each passing shower.

And shall I say there are other aspects
Of this structure less easily come by?
If one looks carefully upward, in certain
Slants of light, there are canyons within
Mountains, and temples against the sky.