Imaginary Skyscraper – Max Shoham

November 21, 2025

River’s dad lived in Beijing.
He built half a skyscraper in the financial district.
It stood in gestation for years,
As River’s dad met with business people.
They lagged behind schedule,
And winter passed.
It was deemed more profitable to demolish,
And so a team of experts conducted a controlled demolition.
The operation was called a success,
Anticipated by the roll-over budget,
And the building collapsed in a very neat pile.
Many people wondered about the building’s abrupt cancellation,
The vaguely felt future-people who would live there,
turn on the lights after dark,
And sleep in the bedrooms.
I am sorry future-people, but by the summer,
wading pools were filled,
so that children could swim in public parks,
And their screams were awesome.
We mostly forgot,
And the lot was sold later that year.