A Nativity Scene, Brooklyn Style

The fire alarm went off at the projects,
		but when they got their, no one spoke,
		and there was the absence of fire and smoke,
		it was just going to be a prank,
		and that’s when a crime scene developed
		in a project house basement, a dank,
		the odor was so bad, it just stank,
		it was an unfurnished place,
		where an elderly black man
		went missing without a trace,
		and after completely opening up the basement door,
		they found that missing man stretched across the floor,
		he was in full rigor, and what’s more,
		he was covered by a long sheet
		of plastic painter’s tarp,
		skin cooked in its own oil and heat,
		shoe laces tied to his hands and feet,
		and there death and drama would meet,
		four homicide detectives and two firemen
		stood over the body,
		a dim basement with low light,
		doing its best to fight off the night,
		and they waited awhile,
		it was like a nativity scene, Brooklyn style,
		 not in a manger,
		but in a two story brick pile.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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A   Avatar
March 14, 2016 at 12:28 AM
Frank F. Atanacio, Enjoyed the way you expressed every line. Please keep writing, hope to see a new one from you again. LOVE LINDA
Ginn Avatar
August 18, 2011 at 12:43 AM
The classic Atanacio style. Okay so now I'll have to go back and read some of my favorite dark, dank and creepy ones of yours
Sumler Avatar
August 15, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Impressive write my friend. Reads like a short version of a screenplay with a film noir quality!
T Avatar
August 15, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Captivating read.
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