We were on a dinner cruise recently in San Francisco and had the occasion to take a dinner cruise on the bay. We had a wonderful time as there was great food, wonderful music for dancing, and a clear, almost cloudless night. As we passed beneath the Bay Bridge, I went topside and was able to get some interesting pictures. This one was from the Oakland side of the bay, looking back at the San Francisco skyline. It was an impressive sight and I’m glad I was able to snap this one. When we returned to Arizona, I sat down and wrote the following poem about it. Being from NY, I have always been fascinated by the nightlights (and night life) of the big city. I hope you enjoy my cruise down memory.

I grew up in New York City

but never realized

how much

I missed the lights.

Manhattan, Broadway, the Brooklyn Bridge

are dazzling by air and sea.

Neon is the perfect pasta

for the eyes.

No matter how long you stare

or how often,

you’re only full

until next time,

always hungry for

more.

In California,

a bridge joins San Francisco

to Oakland.

Mighty buildings emblazon the night sky

and rival the milky way.

Headlights dance on the deck

and on the streets

as people head home

or to dinner

or the game.

East coast or west,

I can’t resist the electricity

of the city.

The signs of life,

civilization,

culture and society.

Don’t get me wrong:

I love the fields and streams and forests

that stretch between them:

the oceans that contain them,

the islands and harbors that define them.

A quiet walk amongst the orchards

or the redwoods

is the balm that heals my spirit.

But oh, that lust to reach the heavens

and tame the wild,

to stretch the intellect

and explore the realm of creativity

reminds me we are more

than protozoans on a petri dish:

we are photovoltaic engines

of invention.

So thank you, Frank,

for making it there,

in the Big Apple.

And bless you, Tony Bennett,

for your

city by the bay.