An ode to the city skyline from West Seattle by poet E.J. Koh

Alki The Town Of Dreams

Facing east toward water, a dozen porch benches
overlook an isle of skyscrapers; but nearer, a strip

of gray beach sand, a pier house selling hairy muscles
each second, then one long hour of bike rentals riding

a mile of fresh gravel laid to rest beside the docks.
On the street, a song plays about mermaids kissing

whales whose underwater tears transform into pearls
after twenty-seven years – plus today I am one whole

pearl and the first dusty form of a second sinking into
the ocean they call home. Car roofs roped with cases:

bookcase, pillowcase, suitcase. This town writes all
lowercase across its paper signs and copper plates,

whipping at the suggestion of wind. The place fits zero
room for excitement. It calls forth nothing but restful

silence and ease. The doorways are hubs decorated
with string lights. Through one door, a man approaches

as casual as a bird sailing into its fullest wingspan
toward me, as if he’d been there since the beginning.