Ramp
Ramp up - still
Under pavements
And concrete roofs,
Beams of lead,
Mortar, spaces open,
Ramps leading up,
Speed-bumps, graffiti
Straining under layers of
Stairwells, asbestos,
Cold, sickness, hunger,
Tears, bitter chill, hot
Blankets, sogging, filthy,
Ramps ascending through
Exhaust fumes and tar and
Blood and sweat and smoke and

The top.
Cold. Overlooking the vile city
In all its putrid splendor.
A dream swirls in the blackness,
Then dies.