South On Ventura BLVD

I came to LA in 2000. I had been trying to make it out to the Valley for years. I finally made it. YAY.....I escaped The Harbor jail.

South on Ventura BLVD

 

My late night strolls on Ventura  

different from my Pacific avenue treks.

More investigation then self-purification.

 

Since I have been to the valley, long gone are the stenches.

Long gone is the deifying silence.

Long gone is the hopelessness draped in dark three am curtains.

My human hamster cage called the harbor city is as a misty memory.

I guess I remember it as one would remember a private flogging.

It seemed horrible before it happen.

 

Painful was the act.

Afterward a faded thought yet visceral enough never wanted to be repeated.

Yoga parlors, Ethnic food places and frozen yogurt parlors have replaced

 The bars, ninety-nine cent stores and bodegas serving the best B rated Mexican cuisine.

 

My eyes have seen enough.

Pupil still stained with overcast harbor nights.

The gum ravaged sidewalks.

The fragrance of vagabond urine greets me at every alley juncture.

The characters replaced by empty charming streets.

Every once in a while I am greeted by a slowed patrol car.

I glance into the stores I cannot afford.

Peek into the bistros with meals I will not sample.

That place seems to good for the likes of me.

 

Yet I am happy.

Here I am.

I have arrived.

Still breathing.

Still alive.

The demons are at the end of the 110.

One day I will eat in that over priced Greek café

The one down the street

 

Author's Note

I really like the comment and the the conversation via comments. I think that what writing should do, create conversation. I like to hear the comment but I really like to find out where fellow writers head are-

Reviews

[RISHABH ARORA]

wow !!! this is so true !!!! humans usually do fall prey to their own situation !!!! and more over !!! they become so cold !!! that they turn out to be very annoying !!! i like the way you've played with the situation !!! and yeah !!! awesome write !!! :D

[Daytonight]

I enjoyed the pictures you painted. Especially enjoyed the different types of cuisine you spoke of. Thanks for sharing.
Keep on penning.

[joshua deathdealer]

I love how raw and vivid this is. I've never been to LA never the less Ventura BLVD but I feel I've caught a glimpse from the amazing imagery penned here. Well done..xx

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

escaping the Harbor Jail must be a feat all by itself, wonderful verse........

[Kimmee Jean]

I enjoyed this one. I like the line "My human hamster cage called the harbor city is as a misty memory" very interesting imagery

[~Blue Fantasy~]

Another great write! I feel like I journey with you when you tell a story!! Being stuck in a cage is no fun! I have to have freedom free from cities and neighbors. Not a fan of over priced cafes!!! Loved that part!!! Great job!

[Desert Dreamer]

Oh, wow, this is an amazing poem. The human hamster cage image is going to stay with me for a while...cities can be like that. So much to your poem it is worth reading again.

[Tina Kline]

Freedom and hope. What more could any one ask for?
I really enjoyed reading your poem.

[Dahlia Phoenix]

The description is spectacular because you can picture the surroundings and what's being felt as they meet these new places. I do agree though, this might be a short story but it speaks a lot so classification doesn't matter. Good poem either way.

[Dove]

I really liked how there was so much detail in this poem. The poem kind of felt like a story. The imagery you used was also on cue, perfect!