[insert song - adventures]
in this incredible world
my fun-uncles are stats,
stereotypes & stereo takers:
who nuanced me to talk
slick, grip guns and work —
all night in timbs or nikes
to keep cash handy,
rubber-banded or stashed in shoeboxes:
tycoon corners with tough
convos; full of action —
verbs & improper nouns
until ether decides:
gavel or chains
timing or luck
bullets or fear
wisdom or love
—
found at any spot, doubling as the spot
trendy cars are parked awry
scattering the small street,
at the top of a high hill
pigeons and birds love the scenery
some strut, wing then plume;
others crowd around the boys
money and fun
fun comes from the money
most are speaking in code
talking travel in outer realms
convincing a sale to buy some escape
eagles and hawks are perched to prey
scoping from the evicted, empty apartments
just ignoring the birds to watch the boys with keen
crimes need punishment
punishment for these ugly crimes
good guys, gods, bad men and innocents
are all along a five-foot wall
consumers are starving enough to ask
what hides in socks, shadows and tree knobs
caution, ego, & adrenalin are
byproducts from the poverty-caused stupidity
but a need to satisfy requests for rent and food
invites empty pockets to work obscene hours
the money feels green
the feel of money fuels relief
there is a stunted hope
some dull idea and a wish boning
this can be a forever form of employment
cops will interrupt this
this interruption creates problems
problems dress to kill
often killers halloween daily as cops or robbers
[insert song]
while standing outside late
near crunched cans
and candy cars
need
blocks the cold,
ices the fear,
pays the bills
coals a lifestyle
[insert song]
full of cash & anxiety (since places have doors)
the hooded mantra is —
before the street’s concrete
can be enjoyed via trot or strut –
exit doors will slightly open
info is assurance –
acknowledge the patrol cars while
being skeptical of moving bushes –
to avoid unintended finalities
this muscle memory
this good, bad habit
this measure of knowing better
is my last prayer for freedom & safety