The mean streets
Chew you up
Only to spit you out

Stolen time sold
For a mere memory
Of bliss

Souls traded for
Black market prayers
And synthesized 
Heaven

Hollow life marauds
Scarred pavement 
Searching
Liquid mercy
everlasting 
Dreams,
And spare change

Spirits broken down
By the wayside 
Held up by
Cinder blocks 
Sanctuary 
Under yesterday's
Times

Silent now
Where souls used to 
Stand
Life graffitied 
On the walls
By skeletal
Hands 

I try not to look,
Cover my eyes
Truly hoping
To awaken
From a world
Lost in disguise