Downtown

The tour guides hold their flags aloft
And tourists, like a herd,
Stick close together, hanging onto
Every single word.

They stop right by the Stock Exchange,
The cellphone cameras snapping,
Then watch their charges grab the bull
‘Midst giggling and clapping.

But meanwhile, the New Yorkers,
Both the natives and the new,
Quickly walk right by; their strides imply
It’s what they’ve gotta do.

They take no note of statues,
Famous buildings or the church.
A path around the tourists is
The object of their search.

It’s the same with any city – 
Though the visitors may stare
At the famous sights, the residents
Don’t have the time to care.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Leffanta Avatar
November 7, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Quite true. I happily lived in Paris for six years before I got around to the Eiffel Tower! So many other things to do! Aloha! Rico
Dietrich Avatar
November 6, 2019 at 7:40 PM
yeah, so many things taken for granted in all our various cities with their treasures of sight and sound. WEll done, Ilene. Thanks for reading that long bio of mine.
Allison Avatar
November 6, 2019 at 5:58 PM
Your observation is so true Ilene and I know there are many places on our little Island we still haven't visited or did many years ago and need to re visit them:-) hugs Jan xx
Foster Avatar
November 6, 2019 at 5:43 PM
so true... this was a great write. I loved the rhythm of it. Like the pulse of the city... Ann
Green Avatar
November 6, 2019 at 4:16 PM
So true my poetic friend. Seen it once, seen it enough, now move out of the way! : ) Really fun Ilene.
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