You may not hear the dreadful hum
Of dozers roaring by
Nor stand within the shadow of
A wrecking ball on high
And violent demolition blasts
Don’t shake you where you lie
You may not see glass towers fled
By tenants forced to leave
You may not hear the families cry
Nor hear the shopkeeps grieve
Or view each scraper’s quick descent
From heaven to debris
Sure, there is no planner who
Takes credit for it all
Who parts the edificial sea
To build up half as tall
To make all in his image, so
To make all dull and small
You will not see the mayor support
Each project to the hilt
Or watch once vibrant streets be cleared
Of rubble, dust, and silt
You will not see your city fall
You just won’t see it built
To think of all there is to gain
And all the unseen victims’ pain
Just because bad laws remain
We ought to feel some guilt