Delaware and Poe

i never dreamed i would miss my first haven. the dusty little room filled with a misty smell. windows covered with dusty soot, outdoors a little hell. the abandon flats with shadowy visitors at night. the empty liquor bottles left covering the street. it was a haven of being on my own, being alone. the ragged kids playing ball with winos refuge from nights ago, the shiny cadillacs parked in front of the ragged flats. the corner liquor store always a busy place. stray dogs wander like the children, just as stray, just as stray. the daily belles sitting on porches waiting for sunset to hit. pretty themselves up to report to their nightly post. the liquor store closes long before night. whites might not see daylight if the store stays open late. the children retreat, the dogs stray on, cadillacs cruise, and the belles walk on. and i, i got married, we moved, i miss delaware and poe, just another corner of detroit.