Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Urban Slab

some level of falling from grace happens in slab city
its twisted humanity
when kindness stops being nornal
when green crusaders are dismissed, unseen
like burying waste in landfill

city of slab-stick
where we live normal lives within shuttered malls
affluence superimposed on poverty
can anything mellow us
with nature clotted under sprawl

here
within plated walls 
breeding, feeding, receding 
unable to bend the city to one's own wishing
to carry on with things just as they are
slabs pinned to the ceiling of mind

sometimes shutters open
to sun-dappled streaks on slab walkways
what are we to make of the dandelion in the crack?
a dark energy blooming between comfort and chaos

maybe we can piggyback on the hope of others
when small acts radiate
like children who empty their piggy-banks to charity
or laugh in summers of safe places

towers girdle the city 
midst what we crave for but can't always name
in our stash of consumer baubles 
urges like a swollen river
our weak stock options that never find a ladder

in the meantime we tread on  -  hungrily

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Thomas Wells June 20, 2026 at 4:01 PM I understand the city in your poem as an extended metaphor for our civilized world. It captures our painful struggle to hold on to our humanity. There are so many powerful lines! And in the end, you offer hope in a childhood innocence of charity and laughter. This is a beautifully written poem. Well done! Brian Sambourne June 20, 2026 at 4:14 PM Greetings Thomas. How are you? So thoughtful of you to comment on this my last poem from so long ago. I may write again as supportive poets such as yourself offer uplifting words. Poems created by AI proliferate and that reality has sapped much of my drive to write. Additionally, care giving takes much of my time. As you write, may the muse be with you always. Best wishes. Brian

Karen Jones January 8, 2026 at 12:30 PM “maybe we can piggyback on the hope of others when small acts radiate like children who empty their piggy-banks to charity or laugh in summers of safe places” Love these lines! I sent you a soupmail and a email. Karen Jones January 10, 2026 at 4:36 AM You are doing God’s work Brian. Don’t forget to self care as well! God bless you! Brian Sambourne January 8, 2026 at 3:37 PM Thanks very much for your supportive, thoughtful words. I haven't posted here in a long time as my life is consumed with being a care giver for isolated seniors. Best wishes for the New Year. Be well.

Beata Agustin April 20, 2025 at 5:09 AM Congrats! Thanks for sharing this. God bless you. Brian Sambourne April 20, 2025 at 6:53 AM Thank you Beata. Best wishes for a grand spring.

Gary Radice March 18, 2025 at 1:28 AM Whenever I think of the word concrete I think of architectural brutalism, the UK's choice for the reconstruction of buildings post war, a certain coldness by association and attach it to describing a world and its people right now who appear lost, powerless and without a voice or soul. Elements of my own thinking appear as I read this wonderful write Bryan. I love how you add flickers of light and hope for the future through the kindness of children. A winner in my books contest or not. Cheers - Gary Brian Sambourne March 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM Hi Gary. Thanks very much for your appraisal of my poem. We have a number of Brutalist buildings here in Toronto, rising with the past demolition of Victorian homes. Slab concrete came to the forefront. I hope that you had a chance to see the film "The Brutalist." My poem missed the mark on the real Slab City in California so contest expectations are low. Thank you for your thoughtful remarks. Always a blessing to read. Be well. Brian

thriveni c mysore March 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM profound, unique write dear poet. Brian Sambourne March 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM My appreciation for your comment on my posting. Perhaps some contest recognition but I am doubtful. Accolades to the actual Slab City are probably the desired script. Thank you for your stop by.

CayCay Godwin March 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM To me, this portrayed the darker and sad part of humanity. I'm sure that was your intention SO you succeeded. I don't know anything about contest judges and I will also admit, I don't know what urban slab stands for exactly - not YET, I'll look it up, anyway, I'm trying to say I think you did a mighty fine word portrait ... CayCay Brian Sambourne March 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM Very thoughtful words in your message, CayCay. Thank you. My slab city is built on brutal slabs of concrete, and isn't the Slab City, California. Hence, my small piece will be lucky to place as it (most likely) does not meet the expectation of the contest-poet who set the parameters. My hope, too, was to offer some light on a seemingly soulless city in two of the stanzas. With appreciation for your stop by + note. Be well.