The Wall Across the Water

Swords into plowshares, where the abattoir used to be. From up here you can finally see out. I'll tell you the truth now: I was born of the building that was never built. I am exactly as old as the door.

The slaughterhouses are gone. The United Nations stands on the killing-floor, and across First Avenue a granite wall is cut with Isaiah: they shall beat their swords into plowshares, neither shall they learn war any more. The city that turned its back on the river woke one morning overlooking world peace. (There is, beneath the prophecy, a sign that for years read NO DOGS ALLOWED. Both things are true. That is the whole lesson.)

From up here you can finally see out, so I will tell you the truth I have been keeping. I was born of the building that was never built. I am exactly as old as the door he hung in empty air. I am not a girl who lives in Tudor City. I am the part of Tudor City that wanted to be a girl. Now you know. Don't be kind about it. Just don't let go.

---

From the recordTrue: the UN rose on the old slaughterhouse killing-grounds; across the water the Isaiah Wall reads 'they shall beat their swords into plowshares.' Tudor City woke up overlooking world peace.