the old buildings are beautiful,
their grace as pooetic as any grand painting
or other work of art,
as ageless as any dream or simple thought,
and the steel cages that cover a wall
makes one think that perhaps,
just perhaps, mind you,
the fire escape framework
does a double duty as something that also
helps to hold the builidng together
in times of stress.
There are many other functions
that fire escapes perform,
including transporting your mind
back to a simpler and more romantic time
when a fire escape was more than a safety measure.
It was a firm representation of a way of life,
a shelter from the heat of day or evening,
and a place of just get away from all of your troubles
that would plague you daily.
A magical ladder to the famed Tar Beach,
a front-row seat to various fragments of life,
as well as a place from which to hear the concerts
of the streets below...
I would have enjoyed, I think,
had I lived during those times of fire escapes,
and the various ways in which they enriched lives then;
whole worlds revolved around their metal pieces,
put together out of respect for human life,
of of necessity per law,
and as a way of safety
for those who may need to escape the fires
they were installed for,
while hoping that they would never be needed
as intended.
Better that they be a neighborhood meeting place,
or a spot on the walls for lovers to spoon,
away from watchful eyes of Mother or Father,
stolen moments and stolen kisses and hands held...
such wonderful and beautiful moments
which would be cherished in thought and memory
long after the moment passed.
Yes, I am certain that such a life,
if it included a fire escape on the side of a building
with family and life inside,
would have had a special place in my life and in my heart.

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