The city is alive with spirit.

 

Walking the Queen City’s streets,

          I sense it’s essence, the pulsing beats,

All around me I feel the energy of others,

          Daughters, brothers, fathers, mothers,

Interlaced, a woven tapestry,

          Ever breathing, a living tree.

Wandering through, I perceive it all,

          Each soul is a color, it’s own unique call.

 

Racers running the marathon course,

          Orange and yellow, their life force.

Fans cheering from the street’s sidelines,

          Beacons of light, white they shine.

Lovers kiss on blanketed grass,

          Passionate purple with a hint of sass,

Walking past, can’t help but be affected,

          The collective energy, all interconnected.

 

But then I turn down another street

          And different stories do I meet,

Warm colors fade to cooler tones,

          Some souls are burdened with heavy stones.

In shadows lurking behind closed doors,

          What untold stories speak of wars?

I feel the pain we all know exists,

          But goes unacknowledged and thus persists.

 

A somber soul mourns the loss of its mate,

          Streaming tears, the color of slate,

A body beaten and betrayed,

          Blackened bruises, a soul afraid,

A voice raised up in anger and rage,

          Red fire burns from inside the cage,

An inner yearning do I feel,

          A deep desire for all to heal.            

 

Happy hearts and devastated dreams,

          So much tension tearing at the seams.

Blissful births and lonely lovers,

          Both can co-exist, one discovers,

Faithful friends oppose errant enemies,

          The perpetual struggle with life’s dualities.

The hurt, the joy, the despair, the hope.

          All braided together into a single rope.

  

The city is alive with spirit.

          Everywhere I walk, I feel it.

Some, they are the channelers of the light,

          While others suffer from a plight,

We’re all absorbing and releasing,

          A constant breathing, never ceasing.

How we all live under the same blue sky,

          I have no answer to the question why.

         

A silent prayer raised up at last,

          Though I know it cannot change the past.

A high five from a little child,

          Healing thanks to they that smiled.

A hug embraced, can’t stay composed,

          Saying goodbye, the tomb now closed.

A candle lit in hallowed halls,

          Piercing through our built-up walls.

 

We all have stories, it is true,

          No way but forward, working through.

But we needn’t brave the world alone,

          You are seen, you are known.

Collectively may we breathe and share,

          United, undivided, together we bare,

From the stars and moon to the radiant sun,

          Love conquers all, yes, let it be done.

 

Like the wind unseen as it gently blows,

          And the fire felt as it warmly glows,

Emitting our auras, for all to see,

          Some dim, some bright to various degree,

Walking through the city streets,

          I feel a pulse, our collective heartbeats

All is one in this very minute,

          Eternal energy with no limit.

 

The city is alive with spirit.

 

Dane Dowell

May 22, 2024

 

Written after walking home from the Colfax Marathon on May 19, 2024.

Picture is an art piece (Saludos a Olorum) from Vasquez de la Horra.