Chicago is a cold and dangerous place
So I was told by another
and as a citizen of the Second City
I looked back to my life here
seeking terrors
unfolding my layers of memories
to find oppression, fierce tumult
attacks on my person, mayhem and madness
and found nothing.
Chicago is a cold and dangerous place
I was told
and to give them credence
I sought again in my memories
looking for hordes of evil ones
said to live here forcing good men and true
to lie quiet and not live in the sun.
Try as I might
I relived no terrors
no threat to me and mine
but rather in my neighborhood
a whole wide range of men and women
and those not sure
of all colors and creeds and language
all in their cohesive whole
making my city a place of the new and of joy.
Chicago is a cold and dangerous place
I was told
thinking back on this makes me think
that there are some who far from their natal place
withdraw and fear even their shadows
and see life as a cage where they survive
fearful all their days
I have time to invoke my god to give them strength
to live in the light and not be fearful