Neighborhood Elegy

Neighborhood Elegy There is now, and there is then white washed woodwork beauty, green, sky clear hard working, hometown folks a good buy. Die or lie dormant today cinders to sadness pockets of politeness placed particularly on purpose. drug and drop heaven. Night footsteps from the old orphan asylum down the Rayner Ave hill memories live in floors and darkness the moon dreams of a parentless son born to the sound of cobblestone streets where youth lives in nursing home dreams. White crisp dresses and salads drained from the duodenum shelter the hopeless. Alone you stand amidst the gunshots and sirens quiet heart within, creaking floors from the weight of vapor people. Children of the golden age, nursed their atomic nightmares hugging close to the cold wall wondering if home is still there waiting for the bright flash, crouching low. So many sneakers, loafers, saddles, crossed your shellacked stages to life. You were our first love, skipping in sunlight to summer play smelling the passion of spring growing in the mid-Atlantic night became your elegy. 3/20/17