Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RIVER OF LIGHT: 2. BELOW 96TH by CHRISTOPHER DARLINGTON MORLEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE CURRENT QUICKENS, AND IN GOLDEN FLOW
Last Line: IT BURSTS IN CATARACTS UPON TIMES SQUARE!
Subject(s): BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY;

THE current quickens, and in golden flow
Hurries its flotsam downward through the night --
Here are the rapids where the undertow
Whirls endless motors in a gleaming flight.
From blazing tributaries, left and right,
Influent streams of blue and amber grow.
Columbus Circle eddies: all below
Is pouring flame, a gorge of broken light.

See how the burning river boils in spate,
Channeled by cliffs of insane jewelry,
Painting a rosy roof on cloudy air --
And just about ten minutes after eight,
Tossing a surf of color to the sky
It bursts in cataracts upon Times Square!



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