Of Birds and Lonely Men

Drab pigeons in flight, skimming over the streets
Swift, restless movement, but going nowhere
Cleaving curved wings in the hot and stagnant air
While no one takes notice of a gray day's defeat

They circle and settle, no rhyme or a plan
They perch, then depart, feathered gypsies who roam
Chasing the shadows, surveying the land
They scavenge the streets, for a place to call home

Summer that coils between cracks in the concrete
Liquefied smog brews far deep in the bone
Pigeons fly low, testing virtues of streets
Assemble in flocks, yet must forage alone

                         Searching at feet of the crowds who walk by
                         Waiting for nothing, just a crumb from the sky
  …..                                                            
                                                         
Drab men walking circles, slouched over with scars 
Their only companions are ghosts of defeat
With no place to go, except under the stars
They huddle in corners, as the bitter night peaks

People and traffic are pounding the beat
No one gives notice, while they travel not far
Down sidewalks, and litter, in the noise of the street
Like pigeons in circles, where home is the dark

Summer that coils between cracks in the concrete
Liquefied smog brewing deep in the bone
And gray absent eyes, testing virtues of streets
Just litter on sidewalk, where cruel winds have blown

                         Searching at feet of the crowds who walk by
                         Waiting for nothing, just a crumb from the sky


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Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
June 18, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Congratulations on your placement in Debbie's contest Carrie. Love, Carol
Guzzi Avatar
June 17, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Absolutely loved the repetition of phrases as it fit so well with the circular meandwerings of bird and man [as an astute reader of my verse..you know I love repetition ;)] also [shh don't tell] I see cities just like this, pretty dern horrid places, I guess country glas like us might YET my child, my son LOVES cities always has! WONDERFUL writing! excellent word choice [cleaving!]Congrad's on your big win. Light & Love
Dillard Avatar
June 17, 2012 at 9:06 AM
Your talent amazes me! Congratulations on this moving piece. RAY
Salama  Avatar
June 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Hey Carrie, Congratulations on your win for this lovely verse ...Samia
Song Avatar
June 16, 2012 at 1:23 PM
This is a poem from a master! I am completely taken in by this hot summer scene and it's perfect free verse format! Favin' this one...Completely amazed! Gwendolen
May Avatar
June 16, 2012 at 5:45 AM
well written...congrats on your win...
Kendrick Avatar
November 2, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Good luck in the contest..Reads like a winner..Sad that in our country these people live like this..Thanks for the kind review of my work..I am glad that another person in this world fixes leftover mashed potatoes like that..Sara
Smith Avatar
October 27, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Brilliant is too mild a word. The metaphor is well thought out.
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