This poem has been titled "in-flight convergence" and "Landmarks" and there are two versions. In the first version the dashes should be white space, but many websites "shrink" spaces down to a single space automatically, making the dashes necessary. 

in-flight convergence
by michael r. burch

serene, almost angelic,
the lights of the city ------------------------------- extend
over lumbering behemoths shrilly screeching displeasure;
they say
that nothing is certain,
that nothing man dreams or ordains
long endures his command

here the streetlights that flicker
and those blazing steadfast seem one
from a -------------------------- distance;
           descend?
they abruptly
part  ------- ways,

so that nothing is one
which at times does not suddenly blend
into garish insignificance
in the familiar alleyways,
in the white neon flash
and the billboards of Convenience

and man seems the afterthought of his own Brilliance
as we thunder down the enlightened runways.

Originally published by The Aurorean and nominated for the Pushcart Prize, then published by Grassroots Poetry, Unlikely Stories, Bewildering Stories, Scarlet Leaf Review, Famous Poets & Poems, English Poetry, Inspirational Stories and the Net Poetry and Art Competition

Landmarks
(an irregularly rhymed free verse sonnet)
by Michael R. Burch

Serene, almost angelic, the lights of the city extend
over lumbering behemoths shrilly screeching displeasure;
they say ... that nothing is certain,
that nothing man dreams or ordains
long endures his command.

Here the streetlights that flicker and those burning steady seem one,
from a distance ...
Descend?—
They abruptly part ways,
so that nothing is one
which at times does not suddenly blend
into garish insignificance
in the familiar alleyways,
in the white neon flash and the billboards of convenience.

And man seems the afterthought of his own brilliance
as we thunder down the enlightened runways.

Keywords/Tags: city, lights, streetlights, traffic lamps, enlightenment, civilization, landmarks, alleys, alleyways, runways

Year: 
1998
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