I’m a day late to Friday’s Word of the Day Haiku party. But I love This week’s word on Dictionary.com: “cosmopolis”. It’s a Greek word that originated in the mid 19th century: kosmos ‘world’ + polis ‘city’.
Initially I thought it odd that the word cosmopolis originated relatively late in history, but the more I considered the meaning of the word, “an internationally important city inhabited by many different peoples reflecting a great varietyof cultures, attitudes, etc.” the more it made sense. Our modern age thrives because of the fluidity of our borders and the ease of global travel, making a true cosmopolis much more likely.
When I think of an example of a cosmopolis, I think of New York City and Liberty holding her torch high, our sentry at the gate, who welcomes those who seek democracy and freedom.
Some politicians would like to build a wall at our borders sequestering the U. S. from the rest of the world, but that is not who we are. May Liberty’s torch always burn bright at the gate of this great melting pot. Our diversity makes us stronger!
The following sonnet by Emma Lazarus is inscribed on a plaque at the statue of Libery:
New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
The fearful build walls
cosmopolis’ Liberty
shines her light for all.kat – 6 August 2016
