I am a poet of the Hudson River and the heights above it, br the lights, the stars, and the bridges br I am also by self-appointment the laureate of the Atlantic br -of the peoples' hearts, crossing it br to new America. br br I am burdened with the truck and chimera, hope, br acquired in the sweating sick-excited passage br in steerage, strange and estranged br Hence I must descry and describe the kingdom of emotion. br br For I am a poet of the kindergarten (in the city) br and the cemetery (in the city) br And rapture and ragtime and also the secret city in the br heart and mind br This is the song of the natural city self in the 20th century. br br It is true but only partly true that a city is a "tyranny of br numbers" br (This is the chant of the urban metropolitan and br metaphysical self br After the first two World Wars of the 20th century) br br --- This is the city self, looking from window to lighted br window br When the squares and checks of faintly yellow light br Shine at night, upon a huge dim board and slab-like tombs, br Hiding many lives. It is the city consciousness br Which sees and says: more: more and more: always more.