On the streets where I was raised,
the dead aren't given graves,
wage-slaves with broken glasses and
twisted hats who love raves
and would tear down a neon sign
that screams out "Jesus Saves"
if only there was a pawn shop
where they could cop enough cash
to get blasted for days.

And while I'm appraised by these kids,
wondering what I did
that I would end up twisted enough
to be this ****ed up and not do a bid,
and Raid robs my building of children,
because the land-lord was too bored
or high to pass out notes where I live in,

indecision couldn't describe the way I sit.
Half of the houses are crowded with homeless
and everyone knows this -
everyone pissed they kicked out the inhabitants
who could have made a partial payment.
Too bad their children were sick
and some dick with a foreclosure notice
stamped, signed, and decided it
would be better to leave the house vacant.
Tell the first folks that were renting
to stop venting with protests -
take a long vacation and just handle it.

It's not the government around here.
Since prohibition the state's been bitching
about the junkie's itching and twitching
'cause they couldn't sell a program of fear.
And booze sellers and drug dealers,
life takers, heart-breakers, lake combers,
and over-achievers are the only ones
making a buck, it appears.

And if you can't tax it or sell it behind a counter,
you'll be behind that counter for hours
selling liquid death to drowners.
And they count down to the minute,
on hold with a cold grimace and yelling
at anybody making a quarter less
and nobody can't wait for the day to finish
so we can go home to a bottle of rye,
divorce papers as my voice tapers off
'til it's dead and dry.

So when I see the ghosts around town,
and all the streets wreak with bleak beliefs
and children chiefing blunts next to homeless clowns
I paint a Glasgow frown across my soul,
pour another scotch on the rocks
at the stop light
in hopes that I just might
make it home for one last go.

Powerful! Good stuff!

Wonderful Writing

Wow.
Wow.
I am humbled by your talent.

A moving commentary....excellent piece

One of these days .. my poem is going to be better than yours! <3

nice piece p_p

Another epic write.

righteous