Boy Atop the World’s Tallest Building For my son Rick

By Steve Heins

Boy Atop the World’s Tallest Building

                                     For my son Rick

After his virgin flight alone,

he proudly proclaimed: “I flew

a DC 10 and I rode in first class,

because it was a Luxury Liner.”

His seven year old logic was impeccable.

Driving down the KennedyExpressway,

I recite the names of the Chicago Skyline.

“There’s the Hancock Building with black

cross-your-heart girding

and funny little feelers blinking red.

The First National Bank is a white column,

city-centered against the dusking sky,

And the Sears Tower standing tall,

Rick, the world’s tallest building.”

I take Lake Shore Drive South,

dodging potholes and a flood

of questions about the Sears Tower.

“Could we go see it?

Could we go to the top?

How high is it?

Can I see it again, Dad?

We drive to the South 55th Street Point,

We look back downtown now Christmas lit.

I plan our assault on the Tower,

And he dreams his tallest dream.

Steve Heins, 1978