Valhalla

Valhalla

by Alan J. Blaustein

High on West Street walking summer day

Sunlight in my face and to my right

Seeing more the Hudson than the street ahead.

I expected factories parking lots and bars,

Nothing else than pleasant afternoon

And then the wonder stopped me seized my sight.

Valhalla? Yes, it was!

Risen in all magnificence from the street

As proudly massive blocks of—stone.

It instantly awed me reduced me to a speck—

For what great purpose could this be?

Home for a breed of freshly risen gods?

I walked beside amazed and looking up

Until I came upon a massive porch

That stretched before great doors of glass and bronze,

Flanked by pillars, granite guards.

A plaque above the doors, all shining bronze,

Proclaimed the name.

Look what the age of heroes has become,

Look how Odin’s dream has re-emerged,

See how the ordinary conquers all,

How wonder can vanish like a wisp of smoke…

I saw for what my hall of gods was built—

Manhattan Community College!

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