Apprehensiveness Abc

apprehensive to walk these alleyways
before me i see violence and filth
colliding in the shadows of night
disheveled piles of trash strewn about
emptied cans tipped towards houses
fences fighting to stand together
gathered only by the gates that keep them
holding back nothing but time
inscriptive graffiti on garage doors
just outside them, expensive cars sit
kept inside are years of memories
layered in unpolished dust
memories that hold no value 
nevertheless are valued more
only they eventually are forgotten
perhaps like the homeless as they lie hidden
quietly tucked in the corners of darkness
resting on nicely manicured lawns
snuggled against the base of trees
that offer shelter from the weather
umbrellaed branches sip the rain
veins slip beneath needles
where temporary escapes linger on
xanthic flesh casts shadows of death
yet there is no ambition 
zeal for life seems to be gone


02/08/2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kauffman Avatar
July 21, 2021 at 11:31 AM
Your amazing ability to create visual imagery from a-z shines out in this poem capturing the scene Sandra. Congratulations on your win. Your writing is inspired and inspiring. Sending many blessings - an a hug!
Watt Avatar
March 16, 2020 at 12:06 AM
Congratulations for your win on your 1st ever abecedarian, Sandra. I hope you didn't put yourself in harm's way doing research for this! The realism is striking and your a to z choices shine. Great write ~ John
Adams Avatar
March 17, 2020 at 9:50 AM
thank you John...my work takes me many places, though I venture less these days to the scarier areas, I have seen much in my life...my memory painted the picture... hugs
Ibeh Avatar
March 15, 2020 at 7:41 AM
Heartiest congratulations for your win with this amazing Abecedarian poem , Sandra:-)
Adams Avatar
March 17, 2020 at 9:49 AM
thank you Edward, my first ever in this form.... hugs
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 16, 2020 at 5:37 PM
What a great entry for the contest Sandra! I think it will do really well. These are not easy to write. Kudos! xxoo
Adams Avatar
February 16, 2020 at 10:02 PM
Thank you so very much Connie...it was my very first one... hugs :)
Ligon Avatar
February 13, 2020 at 12:08 PM
You did an amazing job with this form! Great imagery. Reminds me of Seattle, but there are sadly too many places like this.
Adams Avatar
February 13, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Thank you Juliet...I hope you give this form a try, you do good at arcrostics so you would probably do great in this one... hugs
Somadas Avatar
February 11, 2020 at 1:25 AM
fences fighting to stand together...gathered only by the gates that keep them... wow.. beautifully penned.. You made the reader walking with you.. Great entry in the contest.. Good luck Sandra..
Adams Avatar
February 11, 2020 at 5:24 AM
Thank you so much Jenish. I am glad it feels like you were walking with me :) hugs
Y. Avatar
February 10, 2020 at 10:21 PM
WoW! Sandra, You’ve penned a well written and clever. You caused the reader to see everything that you wrote. I think Caren will like such a write. I wish you the best of luck in the contest:-) Alexis
Adams Avatar
February 11, 2020 at 5:23 AM
Thank you so much for your kind comment Alexis. Hugs
Mcconnell Avatar
February 10, 2020 at 1:16 PM
A fine write Sandy, such great imagery with insightful wording too. Blessings and hugs,Gordon
Adams Avatar
February 10, 2020 at 2:28 PM
Thank you so much Gordon. Hugs and blessings:)
Green Avatar
February 10, 2020 at 7:02 AM
Wow, this was fantastic. You have penned darkness and bleakness very well my friend. Fantastic imagery in this that brings reader along with you on your apprehensive stroll down these streets.
Adams Avatar
February 10, 2020 at 2:26 PM
Wow Thank you for such a kind comment Chris. It brought a smile :)
Pandit Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 7:32 AM
Very impressive write, Sandy--I have seen the streets you painted--every detail masterfully illustrated in your poem. Excellent, as always. A TOP winner for me.
Adams Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 11:06 AM
Thank you so much Vijay...I guess anyone who has ventured into a major city has seen this same streets.... sad reality for some... hugs
One Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 5:17 AM
Woah you did this so well... not the easiest form, especially towards the end.. but i felt the apprehensiveness in this one.... you really know how to create imagery through your words...
Adams Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Thank you so much Silent one...I guess my muse was on board because it came pretty easy... the x and z were the only two letters that required some extra thought... hugs
Romios Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 11:37 PM
Phenomenal verse Sandra. I am glad to know groups are going into this blight and cleaning it up free of charge. This positive news is not on TV often enough. Cities want the blight to remain! This is beyond me, but it draws a segment of the voting population who wants the poor around and no success allowed.GEE Panagiota xx best wishes,
Adams Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Thank you so much Panagiota… sad this world we live in, Philadelphia wanted to set up a safe drug area where people could go get their drugs in a safer setting... really? why not spend the money to help them... hugs
Cornish Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 11:25 PM
It's masterful to write a poem of this caliber - never mind in such a restrictive form and make it truly poetic instead of restructured prose.
Adams Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 11:02 AM
wow... thank you for your ever so kind comment Craig... you have always stood behind me and challenged me to better myself... so thank you... hugs
Wolf Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 11:06 PM
Sidney Carton ghosting for Charles Dickens couldn't top this dark one! G.L. in the contest, Sandra! ~ Chilled to the very marrow
Adams Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 11:10 PM
lol...it wasn't that dark... just describing the alleyways in the big cities at dark and why I wouldn't venture through them... cities can be scary places... hugs
Roper Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 6:25 PM
Very good, Sandra, I really like … Caren didn't say new or old so I entered an old one."Enchanted Voyage"... good luck in the contest.
Adams Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 7:57 PM
thank you Eve, this is my first ever in this form...I will have to come over and check yours out... hugs :)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace