Committed arm robbery
In this Asian novelty shop
It was November 11, 1977 9pm on the dot.
Sunset Park would not be right
Leaves on tress and petals on flowers frozen
The grass crunched beneath my feet
A coldness that permeates the depth of souls
Touches the very marrow of the bone
Hollow damp I walked on
41st 9th Ave
Within a few minutes, the playful, frisky wind
Turned me into a snarling beast hurling gunshots of pain
Coat, hat and gloves seemed so warm once I left home
Gave no resistance to the soaring, roaring beast that’s looking to kill me
Numbing feet slipped and slide on treacherous streets
Gunshots mounting a sidewalk attack
Ravages have been relentless and 9th Ave has been battered
This tornado traveled down this chilly night
Hearing a loud crack like a bull whip
As I ran it felt like red hot coal fire
I’ve been shot
Burnt flesh no phantom pain
Did not hit spinal cord or jugular vein
Warm fuzzy cloud of dreams then fall asleep
Is not my time a voice said?
Living with regret
That at 15 I committed arm robbery
In Sunset Park streets
Raul K. Rios
No comments:
Post a Comment