The City at Night

                                                                          

People walk the roads hiding behind a mask

Only by dusk is their true identity revealed

As a single mother puts her kids to sleep,

She opens a bottle of wine, tastefully

Sending her worries away to the back of her brain

As tonight is the night she logs onto a dating site

To find her soul mate.

As the youth of the city light up the town

They know all the places that are hard to be found

Foods from diverse lands as far as Japan

The city at night can be wondrous land.

Only a true local can understand.

Sitting by the beach, counting the waves

Free in the dark ci-contre to the day that makes us slaves.

Share a beer with a buddy who sets travel next day.

Only at night does the inner child come out to play

But the city can be ruthless too and have its own way.

Girls working for wage by spreading their thighs

Criminals walking the streets in plain disguise

Horrors unheard of can happen in the blink of an eye

For the city is mysterious to poor old oblivious you.

Cops all around making some cash

Young teenagers they sure like to harass

Their word is law; they speak on behalf of the city

Dangerous can it be if your girlfriend is pretty.

Molestation happens more often than you think

For some masks broken shed light on the crazy,

For the right price, justice's vision gets hazy.

Don't you worry though, don't let them scare you

The city protects its own, for

It's a living, breathing, life changing machine.

So if you find yourself out at night,

Don't fear, Arise, alas it is your moment

Show the city you're a part of its bones

For the strong survive and make it home

...In the city that never sleeps.

© 2012 Keegan D'souza 

Author's Note

Originally posted on © 2012 Keegan D'souza