Downtown Slums

lies buried in the night
along with souls who
didn't work out right,
bangers going door to door
women closing the curtains
wanting death, no more...
cities scream at their alumni
hoping for better support,,
we just live here they say
since there's nowhere else,
dogs bark at the city lights
splashing in dark puddles
of blood that constantly
roll down the sidewalks,
never knowing who they be
since no one claims them.
change elects mayors but
no change do they promote,
residences fear more of the
as they board up windows
and move across town,
since that district is better
by the gangs that freely
flock to popular corners.
eyes in the highlights
stun the city dwellers whose
night on the towns ends
tragically like all others,
we claim there's no solution
when some know there is.

May 27, 2025