April 2016 – Page 3 – sunrise in a small city

on the edge of a park

a red fox trots toward the rising sun
along the seam the b&o
weaves through west baltimore warehouses.
the seam a vein of steel
hauling endeavor into dreamland

rails at sunrise — (the cornerstone for the baltimore and ohio railroad was laid in 1828)

surface tension

among the trumpeting morns
severe beauty from functional design
changes in the internal energy of a liquid that solidifies and cools
molten lead like freezing rain.
a body in the suns warmth
flying

shot tower at sunrise — (the shot tower was completed in 1828)

father canton

stockjobbers request your presence
near the pilings in the sediment
to build load and unload.
until they wash out to sea

dockside at sunrise — (the canton company was incorporated in 1829)

suspended plankton

warranted for any voyage or climate
most delicate animal substances for sea stores and inland consumption
served up at any moment

from rash field at sunrise — (the canning industry was pioneered in federal hill starting in 1826)

for the promotion of the mechanic arts

manufacturers artizans fostering exalting inventive genius
increase trade business and commercial mart
blending colors richly and well
designing chastely and architecturally.
some thousands may promenade the handsome galleries

saint paul and lexington south at sunrise — (the maryland institute was charted in 1825 and began meeting at the athenaeum on lexington and saint paul streets)

january 5 1826

see the day when ignorance will its adherents lose and bigotry its disciples
newfangledisms
with enterprise and capital

baltimore street at surise — (the maryland legislature passed the jew bill in 1826)

flesh-eating stone

the lady
standing on the fascis column
doesn’t see the rising or the setting sun

battle monument at sunrise — (the battle monument was completed in 1822)

truman pratts orchard

here an hundred converts
a noble army of light arrayed
here is another hundred
pillars
another hundred rising
cedars
growing in the dross

orchard street at sunrise — (truman pratt held prayer meetings at his house starting in 1825 and helped found the orchard street united methodist church in 1837)

born from violence and blood

the stone in the wall cries out
and the beam answers
from boot black cellars and house to house
an altar of regeneration forgiveness communication revelation and charity
shares without prejudice.
all creatures here below

gay street at sunrise — (in 1817 the bethel congregation of the african methodist episcopal church moved to a three-story brick building on fish street, saratoga west of gay)