........ but then again

                                                          ­                   I 'M STILL HERE

//

                         sliver of street

( the steady rain / the streetlight )

From the porch stoop the dying prayer

Is witnessed in its despair

//

The young girl crying out for love !

( but she's not even here / walking by )

Who is alive ? / who has died ?

Who is it who still cares ?

& who  would know the difference anyway ?

//

A little tiny sliver of life

The shrouded street so very death - like

Ah well

I simply wait

••

Perhaps someone may wander by

And wonder of the old man sitting in the rain

And I'll be ready ! / I am prepared

To speak of pure love and to open up the gate

||

The rain falls steadily

Soon the light shall be dimmed completely

The scowling faces shall emerge

Each from their separate nightmare

( the young girls crying )

••

The dogs shall come

Sniffing into the garbage cans

The blacks boys too and the police

( everything in its proper place )

•

In the night we lie awake

And come forth sleep walking thru the day

••


Tiny sliver of the street

The steady death / the light's purity

( But at least

I'M STILL HERE )