City Tears

I don’t know why, but it hit me suddenly this morning during my quiet time. I thought about a city and the people I once met in five distinct communities A part of me; those seven years of labor, sweat, tears, and prayers, forever reside The sights and sounds of hurts and miseries abound, and forever surround my heart The memories and personal experiences regarding them grew me to tears. It was the night clubs and Go Go dancing of topless girls in Old Town It was the heroin addicts, horrors, sorrows, and prostitutes on Clark Street; Burned down buildings, broken glass, drug addicts, at Madison and Western The forsaken community, anger, and drug chasing at 43rd and Calumet The high rise ghetto, danger, and devastating fears in Cabrini Green You too may be familiar with the city that wrapped itself around my heart. But in reality, it could be many American cities hampered by neglect. If nothing else, I’m sure the memories force me to never forget them. May they not be a conversation of politics and a source of statistics May they never be merely shadows of faces hidden among the masses But rather, may they be cause for city tears ignited by the heart of God. 08302016 PS Contest, 100 in a Row, Poet Destroyer A