MORNING AMONG THE TOWERS ( minor edit )

Amid the canyons made of steel
a world completely without green
where nature has been brought to heel
still, subtle beauty can be seen

Just prior to morning's sunrise
only sound is distant diesel's rumble
in quickly lightening predawn skies
you can watch white contrails crumble

Tall towers' glasses now reveal
the first lances of the morning light
lending a sharp crystalline feel
to an otherwise stark, sterile sight

Saffron cirrus clouds appear
horse tails in a sky now blue
the day's first pigeons flying near
salt and peppering its muted hue

A street cleaner adds its muffled roar
leaving pavements clean and wet
the sun rises a little more
but hasn't reached the roads quite yet

Now all is still save a stray cat
on a random private quest
seeking a hand out or a rat
to have for morning breakfast guest

The light now reaches wet, washed streets
to make them sparkle like black glass
turning oily water to rainbow treats
' fore the damp beauties dry and pass

Stark sharp edged shadows start to crawl
along drab faces no longer dim
a peregrine flies high and small
what must we look like to him ?

Now crowds appear like colored cattle
along with limos, cabs, and cars
the ells and subways rush and rattle
peace forgotten like now vanished stars