Open Poetry #48 |
Alleyways and the Lost |
JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
The streets never really leave me, so I play to them often . . . Shadowy half-lit alleyway Vacant is the slaughterhouse To non-wary, trusting eyes The elements are cowering From the setting bloody sun But never mind I lumber on Not one person is concerned No one from back then to see Like me, outta sight outta mind When, at last, you seek asylum In whiskey, uppers, this'n that No one will care, you nor them Taste of rotgut gin on my tongue Depressing jukebox music filters From inside the tavern I just left High above the moon turns cold Sirens scream, ambulance or cops Skidrows' oh so sad howling grief Clock strikes midnight from afar A bewailing to those who are lost Wake up! The dead of night people They all co-mingle oh so warily Looking for a likely mark to scam Or woman or man to take to bed It's like death out there on the streets I've been here many years, I'm numb To it all, I blend in, I walk the walk Talk the talk and wish to God I didn't To die in this alley is my true fate I have it coming, I have paid my dues As before I sleep inside the alley Wondering if I'll wake up quite dead A frightful game we play; street people And I, by being in this alley am lost Gin-induced nightmares make for unrest Murky people saturate my sad dreams I squint my eyes as the sunlight hits me I hear footsteps, not like those before, no These are full of energy and purpose and I'm content to lie there; soak up the sound I lie still as church thieves, I love the thud Men's and woman's make in their pursuit The light The sound of people going to work A world I had forgotten Are there those who care I feel different Still in my gin-soaked clothes The light has found its way inside my thoughts Is there room for me among that crowd Outside my alley I wonder I . . . ©January 7, 2012 / Jerry Pat Bolton ~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways . . . ~*~ |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
This is one of my favorites of yours Jerry...again I felt like I was that person in the alley from beginning to end. I love the way you write. ~Victoria I was adored once too. William Shakespeare [This message has been edited by Victoria (03-12-2013 12:42 PM).] |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Again my thanks go out to you for your nice comments on my street poem. Thank you so much. ~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways . . . ~*~ |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Victoria is right on the mark again. You take us there...and it is always good that we know you ultimately made it in the end and we reap the rewards of your tortured past. We love you lemonade! lori |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Hah! Lemonade! That's good, Lori and thank you. For awhile there, however, I was sure it was going to turn out to be something quite different. ~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways . . . ~*~ |
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