Ghetto Mind

My mind is just a ghetto now A burned out, broken neighbourhood; You'll see wreckage and despair Where handsome buildings stood. Here's a crater where a bomb Took out integrity Over there to the right Is the wreck of sanity. Pride, self-respect, and dignity Smashed by a wrecking ball; Dreams, hopes and joy of life, Taken out by alcohol. I'm roaming through this wreckage Not happy with what I find; It's such a hopeless, broken mess, This ghetto of my mind. I pick up garbage, throw it out Sweep up the shattered mess. I start rebuilding, brick by brick, A lifetime's work, I'll guess. The clutter's slowly getting cleared Packed up and hauled away. Rebuilding all my hopes and dreams Is a process, day by day. I'm looking at the tidy streets, A happy neighbourhood Rebuilding is a lifelong task But it's starting to feel good. New hopes, new dreams, respect for self Sanity at last restored This ghetto that was my mind Is a neighbourhood once more. Dec 13/17 D H Loewen