Detroit

AFTER DETROIT 

“In these explanations 
it is presumed that an 
experiencing subject
is one occasion of a 
sensitive reaction to 
an actual world.”
—George Oppen

the smog disappears
that had been polluting
the world that Ford made

They were sleek objects
Of steel and flashing chrome
And of speed. They made
The highways crisscross 
The country coast to coast.

Jobs bloomed
They gathered in unions
And spoke, the working class
They weren’t incredulous,
They built things that worked

They were patient
With the world Detroit created
This would never last forever
Not until reaching its limits

They would begin again 
over, that is, over and over