Poetry Archives

Held and thrilled by the vision
  I stood, as the twilight died,
Where the great bridge soars like a song
  Over the crawling tide—

Stood on the middle arch—
  And night flooded in from the bay,
And wonderful under the stars
  Before me the city lay;

Girdled with swinging waters—
  Guarded by ship on ship—
A gem that the strong old ocean
  Held in his giant grip;

There was play of shadows above
  And drifting gleams below,
And magic of shifting waves
  That darkle and glance and glow;

Dusky and purple and splendid,
  Banded with loops of light,
The tall towers rose like pillars,
  Lifting the dome of night;

The gliding cars of traffic
  Slid swiftly up and down
Like monsters, fiery mailed,
  Leaping across the town.

Not planned with a thought of beauty;
  Built by a lawless breed;
Builded of lust for power,
  Builded of gold and greed.

Risen out of the trader’s
  Brutal and sordid wars—
And yet, behold! a city
  Wonderful under the stars!