Scene Description
Skyline. Dark moon. Blue police cameras. The projects. Roaches and rats. Or residents. Block parties. Or loitering. Gang graffiti. Or neighborhood welcome.
Explosive tempers. Or loose bowels. Counting sheep. Or gunshots. Peeling wallpaper. Shattered car windows. Dilapidated schools. Or futures.
Overcrowded subways. Long walks. Open parks. Or crime scenes. Broken tire swings and monkey bars. Step over beggars. Or cracks in the sidewalk. God bless you anyway. Or Fuck you too. Mouthful. Sunflower seeds. Whiskey breath. Pried-open fire hydrants.
The bodies of children floating in the water. Or lily pads on a warm summer morning.
***
Home Sweet Hell, or It Goes Down in L-Town
The first week of not being homeless anymore,
I slept atop a pallet of sheets on my wooden floor.
My sister brought home food from canceled
Papa John’s orders.
The neighborhood dogs bark
all night and I can never tell
if it’s because of the wind
or gunshots.
Brittany is a Chicago native, a Chihuahua enthusiast, and yo favorite cousin.
Brittany is a Chicago native, a Chihuahua enthusiast, and yo favorite cousin