Moses, because, in part
Moses, because, in part
he parts.
First the red sea then red-
lining and still
flowers for the phrase
arterial roads
that city, a living.
What is the name for one
who gives and takes breath?
Odysseus and his bag of wind,
the Frankenstein of New York.
Look now, there he comes
riding in some godforsaken
automobile and the audacity to
call it a freeway.
After Robert Moses
Robert Moses was one of the most foundational city planners/developers of New York City. His vision was realized in connecting land across waterways and developing grand-scale freeway projects that both contributed to the growth of the city and the plight of numerous underrepresented populations in the city. Oftentimes, these projects were a part of redlining or other methods of displacement.
This poem started because of some signs in Seattle on my morning bike ride that indicate which roads are “arterial roads”. It’s a beautiful thing to breathe life into something so inanimate as asphalt, to recognize the city as a complex system.
Also inspired by a recent urban planning kick and the following recent reads:
With gratitude,