Cacophony

I hear the sirens,

The tunes of tragedy,

Echoes off city walls.

I've heard the sad sax,

The triumphant trumpet

And watched the noir scenes;

Steam rising from empty streets,

Betraying the breeze.

The blind lady

Tapping foot and cane,

Each to a different beat,

While singing, softly off key,

Songs that have no lyrics.

I’ve answered to Maurice,

Affirming my doors are locked

And I’m good on detergent;

No need for his services.

Sunglasses, umbrellas, dope,

So many other things

All nicely offered,

But I had no need.

I’ve dodged junkies

And heated pipes

Escaping concrete realities.

Needles and condoms

Only offering safety

When clean and unused.

I’ve listened to the screams

Of mad men and politicians;

Activists and the angry;

The directions of police

Telling the crowd to step back,

Creating lines we weren’t to cross.

Cold hearted meter maids,

Tax collectors in bike helmets;

Robin Hoods in reverse.

Gates on doors

Secured by sundown;

Bars and Laundromats.

Tattered clothes and fedoras

Seeking refuge from storms,

And other bits of life.

Dancing in the streets,

And simply dodging traffic.

The running of the rats

When taking out the trash;

The tempest and the peace;

The calls for both at once.

Banishing of blood money

Others try to seek.

Exchanging ideas never heard

With sirens echoing off city walls.