"Yes, I have seen your city— Your splendid State House, Your wide-sweeping parks; I have wandered through your beautiful museums And viewed the paintings in your galleries— But, until today, I did not know your city. Early this morning Before your busy streets Had wakened to teeming bustle, I walked along your spreading river-front Where homely wharves reach out their long, drab lines Linked close together In some curious way, And there I visioned how your city was When tiny gardens flanked The waters' edge And bright brick houses— Penn's among the rest— Lifted square chimneys To the genial sun. There, in chaste beauty, Your fine State House stood Its tall spire silhouetted on the sky; Before my eager eyes Penn's city rose. Now I can leave your city, my good friend, Feeling that I have touched Its throbbing heart. I will forget, perhaps, Your modern towers, Your gracious Parkway, Your artistic halls; But always, I can close my eyes and see The sparkling waters of the Delaware And little homely houses Of red brick Stretching along your generous water-front; Always, my friend, I shall remember how Your State House tower (The one that held the Bell) Lifts its slim head To rest against the sky. Ah, I have seen your city, my good friend; I shall remember its chaste dignity." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WASHING-DAY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD JOURNEY TO A KNOWN PLACE by HAYDEN CARRUTH SONG: SO OFTEN, SO LONG I HAVE THOUGHT by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE EXISTING POOL by HAYDEN CARRUTH SERVICE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SYMPATHY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON BALLROOM DARK by CLARENCE MAJOR |