A Dark Underbelly

Like a pack of howling wolves in need of prey,
A wounded urban psyche strains its gnarled voice,
Motherless, fatherless, ice cold pavement waif,
Wee small hours plight 

The rocks of his facade dispatched in ghost trains
for those ghoulish oil float gutters  to imbibe,
Back street burden stray, schooled in fringe art fables,
Phantom kite chaser

Eerie street lights peer into an aimless soul,
Clouds of pea soup fog engulf his raw foot slink, 
Firefly knotted angst or bilious grumble,
Trash can tummy fare

But still he ambles on, inner plagues in charge
as loafers from the underworld gawk and gape,
Pithy, a phased out coin for snow cap straggler,
dead of night orphan.

Date Poem Submitted  : 19 th Of July 2020
                         Title  : A Dark Underbelly
                     Sponsor : Edward Ibeh
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
April 15, 2026 at 5:48 AM
I wanted to say congratulations on your winning creative work. Thanks for sharing it with us. Sara K
Kerr Avatar
April 15, 2026 at 6:19 AM
I always enjoy your visits and comments. Thanks for congratulating me, Sara, Howard
Delaney Avatar
October 6, 2022 at 5:42 AM
A difficult form but perfect for the inner twistings of this ghoulish creature. Congratulatiions. on your trophy win.
Canerdy Avatar
October 4, 2022 at 9:34 PM
Howard, you have so vividly described the plight of those on the streets! CONGRATS on your win. Janice
Mishra Avatar
July 27, 2020 at 11:42 AM
This is indeed a fine piece of literary grandeur Howard. Completely adorned with philosophical metaphors and depth. Congratulations on your win. Blessings!
Kerr Avatar
July 27, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Aditi, Your in depth comments and incisive reviews of my entries are warmly welcomed by me. For someone of your stature to speak in such glowing terms of this work is taken very seriously on my part. Warmth Howard
Inman Avatar
July 22, 2020 at 6:05 PM
A very deep write Howard.
Kerr Avatar
July 22, 2020 at 6:27 PM
Hello James, Many thanks for your soup mail comment. Congratulations on your winning placement. Howard
Allison Avatar
July 22, 2020 at 4:49 PM
such deep dark imagery, many congrats on your win :-) hugs Jan xx
Kerr Avatar
July 22, 2020 at 5:06 PM
Hi Jan, Congratulations to you on your utterly charming work and your well earned medal winning placement. Thanks so much for your kind soup mail and for your insights on my entry Warmth howard
Ibeh Avatar
July 22, 2020 at 10:49 AM
This is a fabulous write, Howard:-) Congratulations on your deserving win in my contest!
Kerr Avatar
July 22, 2020 at 11:08 AM
Hi Edward, I’m deeply honoured by your comment and the medal winning placement. I enjoyed the challenges posed by your contest. Thank you so very much Howard
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