Showing posts with label the street. Show all posts
on the street
Friday, November 21, 2008
On the Street
I can see him from the corner of my eye;
my next victim. He’s a smoker
and he pulls hard on a thin cigarette;
exhales and the purple plume unfurls
extending it’s tendrils across the street.
The night here is thankless.
His scrawny body leans against
a tree; the gnarled branches
hanging lifelessly down.
I’m stealthy in my approach;
showing my weapon to my victim;
though I sense his fear – “Salvation army”,
I say, holding my badge – “Come with me”.
I go to bed knowing I saved another life.
This sonnet was inspired by a clever story I found on redbubble.com. I liked the duplicity of the word 'victim'. To read the original story click here.
Pigeons
Friday, October 31, 2008
I like the idea of playing around with form as much as playing with meaning. This is taken from a song I am writing for a music project, and to fit as a sonnet, the chorus has been removed. There has been some discussion surrounding whether or not the poem reinforces the connotation of prostitutes being 'vermin' and so this one may have to be edited more carefully before submission. Sonnet + 1 verse: Pigeons
Open mouths – twenty pounds
Walk the road where sex is sold
And see the pigeons lining up
along the street.
It takes the night to brave the flight
Bloody nose and open toes
All the dirty birds are out here
on the street.
Silence drips from their lips
Splashed white clothes is what they chose
Oh you can see that pigeons hang out
on this street.
Tear stained face, fall from grace
No-one knows and it shows
as cars mount the pavement
on the street
Pidgin patter, what’s the matter?
There’s one less pigeon tonight upon the street.