Graffiti Graveyard

Written in my head (sort of) while in the passenger seat of a driving car.

Splattered on billboards,
scrawled on cement,
seemingly words with
no intent.
Until I look closer,
and what I see
are spray-painted stories of
tragedy.
R.I.P. Joe,
CP,
JR;
Graffiti graves;
is that what they are?
I see them everywhere now,
at bridges,
at stop signs;
I see many that look new;
some there a long time.
These spray-painted stories
make me wonder,
from that school parking lot to
the bridge we drive under.
What happened to make this person's
life end?
Was the graffiti sprayed by a
grieving friend?
It might seem strange,
but I don't care,
because graffiti graveyards are
everywhere.

Reviews

[Nameless]

i'm sorry that you're not happy with it, we don't always achieve our goals, but i have to say that what you DID end up writing is great! the rhyme scheme works really well, rather than sounding corny as often happens, and i just really like what the poem elucidates.... it's awesome, even if you don't like it =P

[An owl on the moon]

What a powerful, insightful write! I went to uni in LA for a few years and graffiti was everywhere. Your take on it is unique and vivid, seeing the pain of the artists expressing a loss of someone dear. Amazing!

[Celtic Cat]

Well I'm happy with this poem!!! I gotta tell you that the first poem I ever wrote in my life was about graffiti artists...so I had to come right here and read this piece. What is not to be happy about? It's wonderful. It totally caught me off guard and the rhymes were exquisite....such a wonderful thing to suddenly open your eyes and see things that were there all along in a new way. Graffiti Graveyard...a wonderful title and an excellent poem!!!!!! I'm faving this!

[Ari]

Well, even if you're not happy with it, I think it works. I can really picture a city covered in graffiti when I read this.