You call yourself a superhero

hey batman,
why don't you come
to my side of the tracks?

my neighbour, puts --
needles in his arms.

& the mom downstairs
with three kids on welfare
she cries every night
with a gun in her lap.

two doors down a --
kid sits on a stoop
dealin' powdery things.

no pizza delivery man
comes by after dark.

what ....
are you afraid the --
homies might steal your rims?

pfft .... and you call
yourself a superhero!

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

Holy reality Batman. You are probably too young to understand that reference. (As an aside the original Robin from the cult TV show became a porn star apparently. But that might be just my imagination).
Yes Robin talk about ignoring the true problems. Trouble is perhaps superheroes can only deal with super villains. And we all know they don't exist.
A truly righteous and well written piece.

[Island Hippy]

Haha.... Mahalo Ken, much appreciated :)

[James]

A " in your face " blast on society and the leaders who pledge year after year to help these people and clean up the streets...It's easier to just ignore what we don't have to see every day.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo for the great comment. I appreciate the drop in

[Relic]

I think the original creator of the super heroes had enemies from over seas in mind when he made those stories. How could he have ever known the wars at home that would become commonplace would need super heroes of a different kind. Ones that would have to win by stamina and not just strength.

This is a powerful one Hippy.

100/100

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo relic, I think you're right :) I appreciate your comment and time.

[Relic]

No problem. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Some places in my hometown of Detroit. Batman won't show-up for. Nice flow of thoughts led to realistic ending. Thank you Izzy for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Island Hippy]

'Ae, Mahalo my friend

[Coyote Poetry]

Malaho back to you.

[Chris]

The taste of reality. I've found very few really "understand" this side of real BEING real unless they've lived it themselves. And more and more ARE doing that now.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo Chris what a thoughtful comment, I absolutely agree.

[Farhan Shaikh]

Very true, excellent poem..enjoyed the read..

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo Farhan, i appreciate your comment

[emmajoy]

Brilliant, my friend! You observe, you think, you speak out, simply, calmly but with great power.

If society could be gently terrorised into seeing its ugliness, it would be by your 'hand'. Super- heroes only swing from their own gold.edged perches these day..

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Em, I love the generous words you give whenever you drop in. Mahalo nui ko'u hoa nani: thank you my beautiful friend x

[emmajoy]

Laughing because you've left me some of your magical spells Love your words, translated or not.. in fact NOT is more mysterious!!

[Island Hippy]

'oe no'u ko nani Em :)

[emmajoy]

OHHHH... now i want to know what that means.. or do i.. yes.. no... um... er.. no.. No, methinks i'd like to walk a secret route today.. (Will beg for translation another day! )

Sweet hours for your heart and hearth, dear Izzy.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I enjoyed this tongue in cheek piece Izzy with its tilt at society and its blindness to real social problems. Flows nicely and reads well.

[Island Hippy]

Aloha John, I really appreciate your visits and encouraging words. Mahalo much :)

[Paul Bell]

It all happens next door, we ignore it. Something blows. What do we say. We usually say, never thought they would do it. Life sucks.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo for the drop in Paul, appreciate it

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we call ourselves good people, and yet there is so much we just ignore, so much that is right next door...how long can we do this?

[Island Hippy]

'Ae this is so true, mahalo for your great comment.