The Castle
Tales, Poems and Legends

The new year is well underway. Christmas is barely a month behind us, and already we are swept up again in the whirling hubbub of life. So the Castle brings us a bit of poetic magic to put the charm back into the business, this time through the talented wordplay of sophomore Sarah Kliewer in her piece, “City Lights.” Mixing rhyme and repetition with a free style more akin to prose, Sarah captures even in the bustle of New York City a feeling of enchantment.

City Lights
By Sarah Kliewer

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
Yellow masses are summoned at the wave of a hand in this place,
So full of life that you can’t wait to take a bite
And let the sweet juices of city life
…Drip down your chin.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
The saxophone sings from midnight lounges,
Enticing our ears to indulge in its sweet music
As cocktail dresses twirl in the passionate dances
…Of love at first sight.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
Broadway premieres and their heavily caked stars, call this place their humble abode.
Fake eyelashes and big hair adorn the leading ladies of the stage.
You too can sing and dance for all to see
…Here in the Big City.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
The skylight canopy watching us from above,
As we hurry about in our black suits, on our little mobile phones,
Waiting for our beloved promotions,
…Our golden opportunities.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
While we parade in our big sunglasses and pursue
Our fifteen minutes of fame, the city buzzes around us,
With us, and right by our side,
…Discreetly aiding in our persistence.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
Dinner with girlfriends, waiting for Mr. Right
Gab, gab, gab with each other because we all just need
Someone to listen, to console our insecurities
…Of this life in the fast lane.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
Seas of people bombard their concrete courses,
Taking them from “Point A” to “Point B.”
All going different places, but all on the same path,
…The path to success.

Bright city lights, dimmed starry nights.
Our ambitions bring us here to this magical metropolis.
You are never alone in the city that never sleeps.
There’s not a place in the world that
Makes our dreams our realities…

…Like New York City.

The Castle is always open to the contributions of talented poets and storytellers across Valley. Send your work to laserwolf32@yahoo.com to be considered for publication!