Downtown’s history is visible
In its layout.
On the outskirts of Los Angeles,
Chicago, St. Louis,
Great buildings jet upward
Pronouncing their position.
“Isn’t the skyline idyllic?”
They say.
The giant sculptures overlook
Their surroundings:
Industry, mainly, moats metropolis.
Wrecking yards and power plants,
All once outskirts of the city,
Now tucked inside, desolate,
Save for artist lofts and storage facilities.