Detroit Poem Holds True 10 Years Later

While reading this week's Metro Times, I came across a poem titled "Detroit" written 10 years ago by Mariela Griffor. "Detroit" was conceived after a conversation Mariela had with Harriet Saperstein. Saperstein ran the economic development organization, HP Devco, is a professor of physics at Wayne State University and an active world researcher on peace and security issues. Saperstein devoted 35 years of work to the architectural improvement of the city. The poem by Griffor may have been written 10 years ago, but it still holds true today. It touches on the negativity and suffering that still surrounds the city, but Griffor also cries out for rebirth and revitalization, such as many are doing today.

Detroit

by Mariela Griffor

When I drive down from

Grosse Pointe on Warren

a sudden knot in my heart

is born.

The solitude my soul

is roaming

with the images of

a city broken

and gone.

I cross my fingers

hoping I won't see

any black cats

crossing

streaming manholes.

Detroit full of churches

and where is God?

Could he be hidden

under politicians' coats?

A mon cher

looked through my car window

and he believed

he melted snow.

His eyes aflame

consumed two seconds

when the red light stops.

City in flames,

who took away your palaces

and gave you back

to a tribal pain?

It was not me,

I am a foreigner,

I just came to see.

Detroit wake up

from your profound sleep.

Build back your empire.

Build it back

so I can see.

Forget about

black LaKeishas

and your white Portias

forget about your yellow Chengs

and your brown Carolas.

Let the golden haze

that rusts on your aura

shine proudly

on your face again.

Let a feeling of goodness

grip the city as if in storm.

Let your dreams flourish and endure.

Turn the holy fight into

salutation.

Let the happiness return.

Leave your vinegar grief behind.

Let me see Detroit.

Let me see.