Ode to Our Water Towers
By Mildred Alpern
They dot the skylines in random array
Like hide and seek scampers in frivolous play
Voluminous shapes sturdy and round
Captured in space like a leap from the ground.
They draw sudden glance or riveted stare
For isosceles triangled hat top wear
Seen In gray mist and in daybreak light
And in gleaming burnished gold at night.
Reservoir holdings, miles far away
Supply rooftop towers with water each day.
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That’s a fun poem, and what beautiful photos!
Makes you look at a common object literally, in a different light! Enjoyed the verse and the accompanying photos.
Great verse. Loved it. Such a pleasure to enjoy a poem of salutation instead of angst. For a change. lol
So nice to slow down and look at the things which we take for granted…
The words and images are lovely. Thank you, Mildred!
Amazing shot of my apartment! I think this photograph is a few years old, before the big monstrosity on 87th St. was built, right?
Right you are
Clever poem!
For the fascinating story behind our water tanks, check out this web page from “6 sqft” .
B/T/W: The Rosenwach Tank Company’s equally clever motto is “We Tank New York” !
‘ elpful ‘enry ‘ere, thanks for directing to 6sqft website. Great summary and is interesting to learn that wooden tanks are still the best. Like so many prosaic things in New York, they have a great backstory and it is great to see them publicized.
Yes, with a Westside Rag audience, one thing leads to another to widen our intellectual and visual horizons and enrich us.