No one in an alley, and nothing, nothing but blackwater,
Blackwater over rails and cobble, mainline to poverty;
Somewhere at the end of it, gangs throng,
Squeezing the dark into your mind, cut you with a blade,
Blood squandering on their fingers. Wrestle with
Your money, footfalls to shadows in a doorway.
The victim falls to the worm in an earth hook,
Theirs is the only voice protesting in a warm laid grave.
Overhead, black clouds clapping, boisterous wind,
Hard down on the city. Deluge of rain
Slapping window panes; quenching the thirst of gutters,
The rash smart sloggering pour.
Beating and beating on the asphalt ground,
Storm drains to a siphon. I was under a roof without
A rent, followed the path of the homeless here,
Drank water dripping from a ceiling, uttered a prayer.
The only thing to come now is the light,
Not a day dazzle nor darkened recompense.
On my knees, prayed for a day spring to the dimness of me,
Heaven, the word of, words by and by,
Let it ride like a dice roll; dispatched and have done
With its doom here; lower than death, shoot
The vein for the visiting. Let my last
Breath be penitent fetched from the Gideon book.
Copyright © 12/15/17 lance sheridan®
Lance this is a powerful poem providing this reader images of what “true” reality is, this writing fits the description of “reality” at its best – I’d rate this excellent!
Barbara, I so greatly appreciate your thoughts and wonderful support of my work! Thank you!
Thanks Lance – Your writings are excellent & great!!
You’re very welcome, Barbara. And, you have my utmost gratitude and appreciation!
Brilliant. Beautiful yet stark, your images are compelling as ever.
My most sincere thanks and appreciation, Polly.
Watch the 1937 film “Dead End” sometime. You’ve captured precisely the hopelessness it depicts…an attitude all too real on inner city streets.
Anna, thank you so sincerely!
So beautiful!
Jussara, so greatly appreciated!
You are welcome!