Street Roots • Aug. 10-16, 2018
J*Walker
by Brandon M. *
If I look all ways
and no one’s coming
I’m crossing that street
this world don’t own me.
If I see a cop
I’ll surely think thrice
But I may do it still
if the conviction is rig h t
Though if children are present
I’ll be patient and still
Wait upon that silver man
with awareness and will.
But I cant let those cars
have so much advantage over me
I got things to do too
and it takes longer you see.
But I ain’t polluting as much
running on blood not gasoline
But if you have family or responsibilities
then that’s totally cool with me.
Cause I bet you hate sitting
in those damn traffic jams
So if I ain’t pressed for time
I’ll probably let you go ahead.
For in the future who knows
I may be driving again too
Though I’ll still walk sometimes
just to take in the view.
But the buses have been great
I’ve learned all sorts of things
Talking sometimes
but mostly listening.
Still I’ll always be a J*Walker
at least a little at heart
having lived a poor iconoclast
or as one who stumbled at the start.
Though if I find that girl called ‘Heaven’
or attain important rank
If I see the police
I’ll likely suck it up and wait.
But to be perfectly honest
I’m mostly doing it now
With two wonderful cats at home
and a wretched life to turn round.
Street Poetry
Page 13
Rooms of Mine
by Eileen Vizenor
Memories of my first rooms were
when I was very young.
They were safe and warm.
Sharing with my mom at times
when scared.
As I grew into adulthood, my rooms
changed over the years.
Abuse, self-destruction and mayhem
encroached into my rooms.
These rooms made me the strong,
independent woman I am today.
Empathy and compassion for others
are my new rooms.
Untitled
by Tina Drake
Walk into the morning air
Coffee in a mug
Searching for new day thoughts
A new beginning, a new day
Into the heat of the doom and gloom
Searching for cool down air.
Knowing the day grows more savage
Heat, bum, harness the day.
Evening is cruel, hot and miserable
The day comes to nearing its end.
Cold pizza looked forward to.
A bed cool, a night brought to an end
When it’s done, when it’s anew
We all walk through the gloom
to begin and rise and fall.
Bring anew the day that renews.