A Prince Among The Felons And Other Collectibles

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icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

0 posted 2003-08-19 04:25 PM

They used to call him Shake
back when he was a supercop,
because he made the bad guys quake
in their chains and silks
and pimp shoes;
he'd stop them
sometimes just for fun,
he'd make them sing the blues
and other tunes
about their street associates.
That was until the Shake
began to hold his hand
a little too far out,
so he could take a little something
off the top,
just to make ends meet, of course.
It was OK,
he was a cop.
Working on the street
he had expenses,
you know how that is.
Muscle car,
flashy clothes
and passing out a little grease
to keep the wheels of justice
rolling up the ball of threads
that were arrests to fill his jacket
with points for his promotions;
living like a prince,
dreaming like a king.
Well, one thing rolled onto another,
and one day he just stopped
to bother adding up the difference
between the good and bad he did.
That's when he got careless
and learned
how the game was played
from the other side of hope.
He lost his wife,
his kids,
his stash of dirty cash
and spent a Rikers Island dime
trying not to drop the soap.
Now he works the pick up jobs
at the local building sites;
some mornings,
when he struggles out,
he fights
for a spot unloading trucks,
ducks into a lowlife bar
whenever he's got cash.
If you catch him in between his drinks
and before he's spitting drunk,
he'll tell how the system sucks,
how raw a deal he got;
he'll tell you all about it
if you buy another round;
he'll talk you through his memories,
give you the best
ten cent view of town.
In his mind,
he's still the reigning prince
of the late night avenue.

©2003 by icebox

[This message has been edited by icebox (08-19-2003 05:36 PM).]

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

1 posted 2003-08-19 04:42 PM

smiling wide.

You are a class A poet, but your stories leave me always wanting more. (me? wanting more? NEWSFLASH, huh? *wink*)

Masterful.

grin.

(I love typing that.)

But truly, sir, Love your stories.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

2 posted 2003-08-19 07:20 PM

icebox

Takes me to the theater with a box of popcorn, watching a screen, only I see that the movie you wrote is real. Well done!

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

3 posted 2003-08-20 02:10 AM

Wow - hope you are putting this into Serenity's people watching challenge, as this was a fantastic character study of something that goes on a lot that we don't get to see. Excellent!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2003-08-20 11:54 AM

Well, one thing rolled onto another,
and one day he just stopped
to bother adding up the difference
between the good and bad he did.

~*~

As Mysteria said, this fits well into Serenity's challenge...

of people watching...

Bonnie j
Senior Member

since 2003-06-27

Posts 1588
Ohio

5 posted 2003-08-20 11:59 AM

Oh I love reading an interesting story. You captured me right in the beginning to see what was going to happen. We will have to hear More of The Story.
See Ya Bon-Bon

SharaRose
Member Elite

since 2003-07-19

Posts 2501
Somewhere out there~

6 posted 2003-08-20 12:05 PM

This made me think of the undercover cop that goes to the other side, and it also brought to mind a Shake here in Texas that sings blues. I love his music. This touched me two ways. Music, and life on the streets the way it really is. WOW!!!! Amazing as always, and thanks for the treat of bringing back to mind Shake Russell here in Texas, as well.

SharaRose @-->--

Of sound, and speech let all lift the hearer!

[This message has been edited by SharaRose (08-20-2003 12:08 PM).]

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

7 posted 2003-08-20 12:38 PM

Reminds me of when I was an MA stationed in Alameda Ca....I will just say this...do not get caught doing ANYthing wrong in Oakland..yikes.

Excellent story telling my friend.

Susan

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