03 Nov The 33 by Patrick J. Long
Scuttling between office and house
Pausing to let a siren pass.
This limestone grew over eons
As great fish coiled above
And the earth rolled toward the sun.
Horses once trotted here
Couples strolled arm in arm
And children played on the grass.
Then Moses raised his staff
And parted our city.
Now we, like Pharaoh, charge the gap
Chasing what we have lost.
About the Poet
Patrick J. Long is a professor at the University at Buffalo Law School, where he teaches on Professionalism and Shakespeare. A proud son of South Buffalo, he graduated from Harvard College, and then served four years in the U.S. Navy. He lives in Williamsville with his family.
This poem is one of many responses to Just Buffalo Literary Center’s call for work inspired by the National Endowment for the Arts The Big Read Program’s “Where We Live” writing prompt.
The Poem of the Week feature is curated by literary legacy awardee R.D. Pohl.