The Empire State Building

A symbolic, noble, and breathtaking enterprise,
Built when almost no skyscrapers ruled the urban landscape,
Towering above the hectic metropolis of New York City.
The asphalt and steel structure and shiny window panes
Climbing ever higher during the days
Of risky, brutal, and often fatal construction of the
Soon-to-be classic, downtown high-rise.
The long, chiseled spire peering down from the heavens
To the sturdily-crafted foundation here on earth -
A beacon of financial strength and a glimmering
Spectacle of modernization.
The Big Apple, still a world-renowned attraction
To the present day;
A center of ethnic and cultural values that,
Through the centuries, has shaped the American way of life,
With the Empire State Building at its sleepless core.