Jenna Logan Poet Sapphic stanza

A Dark Underbelly

Shadows fill the alley, where they lie in wait
To buy and sell sundries of a wicked kind
needles injected, gun shots fired, witnessed in
     flashing neon lights

I equate them to sewer rats, crawling 'round
whose sinister stories would make me shudder
counting their number by red cigarette glows
     blurred in veils of smoke

Another cheap wine bottle smashed to the ground
Stiletto heels needing to trade for a fix
Money earned turning tricks; spent on ecstasy
     eyes in Zombie mode                                                                                          

I should board my window so I cannot see
the bowels of a city, dark and defiled 
Such tragedy permeates the air until
    street lamps dim at dawn



Pick-A-Title Vol 19 - 4 Sapphic Stanzas
Title Chosen: A Dark Underbelly
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh
Posted on July 11th, 2020

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Aditi Mishra July 27, 2020 at 11:47 AM Your intricate imagery paints the chilling picture of a gloomy city Jenna. It feels real. Congratulations on your win. Much love :)

William Kelii Kekaula July 22, 2020 at 7:16 PM A dismal depiction, though distant, nevertheless a dire reality, Jenna, well exposed my friend and my compliments on your honorable placement -- Aloha~@William

James Inman July 22, 2020 at 6:13 PM Nice write Jenna, I hope you don't actually live there, scary thought.

Jan Allison July 22, 2020 at 4:53 PM such dark sinister imagery I would hate to live in a place like this! many congrats on your win Jenna:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham July 22, 2020 at 1:33 PM Back with congrats on your placement Jenna. Tom

Edward Ibeh July 22, 2020 at 11:03 AM Your wonderful poem really captures the seamy side of life. I loved it. Congratulations on your win in my contest! Jenna Logan July 22, 2020 at 11:07 AM Thank you for considering my write, and for hosting, Edward.

Tom Cunningham July 12, 2020 at 10:10 AM All cities have those dark underbellies, best move I ever made was moving to a country town. You wrote this well Jenna, another string to your bow. Good luck in the contest Tom Jenna Logan July 12, 2020 at 3:01 PM A bow needs to be well-strung if the arrow is to reach it's mark. Thanks for the metaphor lesson in this one, Tom. City life was never for me.

Joseph May July 11, 2020 at 8:43 PM Well penned Jenna, You describe it well, best wishes Jenna Logan July 12, 2020 at 4:03 AM Thank you very much for the kind words, Joseph.

Rico Leffanta July 11, 2020 at 2:38 PM Just imagine the view if Christians had never landed in the Americas! Aloha! Rico Jenna Logan July 12, 2020 at 4:03 AM I think I'd enjoy the view of the real native Americans respecting the land. Thanks for your comment, Rico.

John Gondolf July 11, 2020 at 2:03 PM Very dark and sinister, Jenna, I'm sure it holds much truth as to what goes on in the bowels of our cities under the cover of darkness. You left me with a bit of a chill. Good luck in the contest. Hugs, John Jenna Logan July 12, 2020 at 4:01 AM Hi John, and thanks for commenting on this sinister sounding write. I'm not sure how it creeped into my mind, but it kind of emerged on its own. I had a bad contest day yesterday, so maybe it was the result of my gloom. lol