For My City

Far removed from the epic tales,
From daring seas and sun-drenched vales,
Rests a city of harsher clime,
More testing than Pallas divine.

Winter does not pity
The dismal city whole.
The banks, the university,
In from its cold citizens stroll.
Her gray and gutters cloud my sight,
Little is done, little is bright.
When at day I see gloom,
At night my city blooms.

I love with sparkling delight,
All her long, lit buildings at night.
In her I see a flashing sea,
Humming and whirring silently.