THE MANHATTAN PROJECT

Sunshine on street puddles
gasoline rainbows glistening
blues and greens, the reds
stark like marks on inflicted skin

dogs lay shaded, in project parking lots
panting the humidity away, scarred trees
in greenish hues, scratch off ques
reveals a lose, a fainted two
pressed firmly to cement floor

apartment wars make their presence known
latin salsa overtakes the window sounds
bass reverberating through pissed stained halls
the smell rising from the tiled ground
the faint echoes of slamming doors
a ping of a descending elevator abiding
to it's law of gravity, actively
a colony teaming with life

catching hell in unison
with flames of burnt rice

Author's Note

I tried to get the atmosphere of the projects in this write, the projects meaning poor public housing. It Isn't an Ode to manhattan...

Reviews

[Victoria PoetryBunny]

I love the first two lines.
"Sunshine on street puddles
gasoline rainbows glistening"
I think you captured the scene well.

[LadyCardiac]

I smell the burnt rice and remember the oil puddles with rainbvows while searching for my pot of Gold that was supposed to be waiting at the other end... Inspiring as always

[Kenneth The Poet]

I understand this, as I teach in the rural equivalent of project housing. The rez is covered in similar stories, similar dilapidation and similar graffiti. The power of your words go beyond the bounds of the Apple.

[Kaylor Mason]

This is very good in its expressive clarity. I also like the name--Manhattan Project carries a subtle, profound double-meaning if you look at this verse closely enough. I especially like the last stanza: "catching hell in unison with the flames of burnt rice." That's just . . . elegant, for lack of a better word

[Jeremy Baker]

Living in a different country, I can't realte to this from first hand experience, but if you've even come close to reality, I don't want to live there. The structure, imagery, vocabulary - it all makes for a slice of life that is retold so eloquently. Wonderful writing.

[Tkess]

"blues and greens, the reds stark like marks on inflicted skin" You did a wonderful job of describing this scene almost like a painting. I could visualize the who thing in my head. Wonderful write.

[Aidz]

Rene brill as always no need to say any more

[biggerthenu]

you gave me a quick glimpse and took me back to the BRONX thank for sharing

[Chris]

I came back... you definitely got the taste down pat.

Chris

[Chris]

Well on the way to reality. You've a whole world to share that few would know... I envy you the showing...though not ever the living.

Chris