I get a sense that things like "darkness," "industry," and "black" imply a black-and-white feel of the 1800s, when Industrialism hit the United States. By then, the roots of globalization has begun; there was already a sense of separation ("Left, right, up, down"), probably in multiple regions and/or class structures. However, in order to have any sort of direction or "region," you must have something to which it must be compared (this goes with the whole idea that if everything was the same, it would be rather boring, and besides, it would be rather difficult to differentiate anything from anything else). And so with "mind" there is an implication of using senses, consciousness, and particularly intelligence, which is somewhat like an upper class that reaches out and expands by broadening the senses. This broadening is something like the "encompassing" mentioned earlier...as if these greater powers that control everything have such great influence, that to them, it is just something almost trivial, like a hat.

Yet despite all of the supposed "great" things that came out of such an era, there is an underlying "plight" of humanity that barely peeks out, such as pollution of smoke stacks, endless rows of crowded apartments in New York, racial segregation; with "Consider expanses black" I imagine that the size of expansion requires and creates "blackness," such as hostility, dehumanization, and an overall unknown entity that covers itself. This could be a separate function of the top hat, that can be used to hide things within something that implies elegance (sort of like how Abraham Lincoln held notes inside his top hat). The things that the hat can hide can be either good or bad or both; it is possible that nobody will ever know.

Something I've found interesting is the speed at which the poem draws you in, as you seem to intend. It definitely works in the second line with the directions. The only thing that seems to hinder the speed is the use of "into" in the first line; as rhythm is rather profound in this poem, perhaps the number of syllables per word could be an issue. I probably have my personal analysis WAY off, but hey, it's interesting to me. :D

I wish to express this to you http://i40.tinypic.com/2mg5f2b.png
As well as my thanks!

Thank you kindly for your views, both on interpretation and critical review!

I didn't think that it would be full of win. o_O;;;

...but if you say so, then...thanks! :D

And yes, poetic inspiration hit me randomly today just when I saw your poem pop up in my submission list. Plus I'm taking a class that focuses on the racial and ethnic separation in the U.S. and its results. Pretty scary stuff. D: But I suppose that affected my interpretation. :o