Frederic Parker Poet Free verse

Inner City

Broken windows give no reflection
graffiti for those who can read

concrete streets are polluted rivers
passing shoes leave bodies in need

disillusion is a crumbled sidewalk
stretching to an intersection of who cares

empty eyes follow shadows that wander
stolen clothes from the morgue to wear 

hope is a night's survival passing
when sounds of gunfire are heard

silence comes from gang handshakes
pigeons and crows the only bird

A bell that rings in the distance
the church the preacher will rob

players and pimps with tin cups
approach the stampeding mob

a moat of suburbs surround
gates to the castle are locked

guards at ramparts bleed blue
guns are always cocked


a cry only heard by those crying
in a dirty world of make believe

tomorrow finds another broken window
a rock by a child that can't leave

5/6/17

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Darlene De Beaulieu May 29, 2017 at 2:09 PM So very sad.It is not a nice world to live in.Too much wrongs going on it is unsafe place.

John Hamilton May 21, 2017 at 3:30 PM Sad but great write Frederick, felt like I was there, unbelievable imagery, you are surpassing even yourself, with this write! Congrats on a fine win!

Craig Cornish May 17, 2017 at 2:48 PM powerful, pertinent, and prophetic!

Cyndi Macmillan May 17, 2017 at 9:41 AM WOW! Glad I read this. So well said....look at the ART!!! "Moat of suburbs" !!!!!! EXCELLENT! Bleed blue... but its all about being THERE, feeling it, slamming that imagery at us so that only the indifferent can't FEEL you. This is superb writing, Frederic, and you know I never gush unless gushing is due. I'd have given this first place, too :D (PS ... this left me shaken, as it should... a good upset, if you know what I mean. Easy to understand, hard to read...)

Laura Leiser May 13, 2017 at 4:04 PM You described the heart aches of the inner city so well in your fine poem, Frederic. Congrats on your top win :)

Andrea Dietrich May 10, 2017 at 7:28 PM Frederick, I am SO glad to see that Brian also realized how stunning this was. Congratulations.

Lenna Walker May 9, 2017 at 6:57 PM Congrats on your win. Very well penned !!

Sanya Darakhshan Kishwar May 8, 2017 at 10:18 PM Choice of words and the crisp description of hollowness is wonderful.

Carrie Richards May 8, 2017 at 5:03 PM As Nette says .....such an edginess of gray, one can visualize as if watching a raw film unfold in black and white. Well done, Frederic! Congratulations on your well deserved win !

Nette Onclaud May 8, 2017 at 3:32 PM i am amazed by the edginess of this deep poem, frederick.. best congrats on your win!..huggs

Dean Wood May 8, 2017 at 11:50 AM A well-deserved win Frederic. This is a powerful piece. Congratulations!

Charlie Smith May 8, 2017 at 11:11 AM Terrific work Frederic, congratulations...

Andrea Dietrich May 7, 2017 at 12:54 AM oh my goodness. this is magnificent writing, Frederick. WOW!!!

Gary Bateman May 6, 2017 at 7:04 PM An Outstanding free verse here Frederic!!The power and palpable nature of your imagery paints a poignant and sad word picture of the "Inner City." A SEVEN -- ABSOLUTELY!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Old Man Emu May 6, 2017 at 5:52 PM Great job Frederick. Saddened by such images, the country life for me! Kind regards, Craig

Jan Allison May 6, 2017 at 3:52 PM What vivid deeply depressing imagery Frederic. I would find it very difficult to move from the safety and beauty of our little Island to somewhere in a city like this:-( hugs jan xx7