poetry

Midnight Run In Brooklyn

Posted on by A. Long

WINGATE PARK IS COLD AT NIGHT

I RAN THERE

NO SPECTATORS BUT THE

LONELY STREETLIGHTS

THE SOUNDS MY SNEAKERS MAKE

AS THEY ECHO IN EMPTY BASKETBALL COURTS

I RUN THERE

I RUN PAST THERE

I TRAMPLE THERE UNTIL THERE IS NO THERE

IT IS ONLY ME

Home

CIRCLING GREEN SPOTTED BROWN GARBAGE GRASS

& BUILDINGS

CURIOUS AS THEY ARE LEAN AWAY

I BREATHE INVISIBLE LIQUID ETHER

THAT’S SOAKING IN MY LUNGS

& WILL PROBABLY EXPLODE ANY MINUTE

I KEEP RUNNING

WISHING TO VOMIT EVERY

AMBITION I HAVE OF WINNING

BUT WHO AM I KIDDING

EVEN IF I DID

I’D KEEP RUNNING

TO BEAT MY MOCKING SHADOW

THAT’S ALWAYS AHEAD OF ME

AHEAD OF ME ARE WIRED FENCES

POLICE HEADLIGHTS ON MY HEELS

I RUN

THE INSIDE OF MY ANKLES THROB

THE PAIN IS KNOCKIN IN MY BRAIN

LIKE THE BASS BLASTIN OFF THAT CAR DOWN THE BLOCK

MY FRAME IF SILHOUETTED ONTO THE RED TRACK

I CANT STOP & I CANT GO BACK

I RUN

FOR THE SHADOW AT MY SIDE THAT’S LOSING

I RUN

FOR THE POLICE HEADLIGHTS THAT WON’T CATCH ME

I RUN

UNTIL THE BRUTELY CRACKED PAINT ON THE CONCRETE WALLS

FADES AWAY

THE SOUND OF DADDY CHASTISING 3 YRS OLDS

DISSIPATES

ROACHES IN THE KITCHEN

DISINTEGRATE

OR UNTIL MY LEGS BREAK

MY SHOULDERS ACHE

I SEE STARS

& CAN ONLY COUNT 15

BUT I KEEP RUNNIN

& RUNNING

& RUNNIN

Letter To My Son

Posted on by A. Long

I wrote this in High School, but I dedicate it to my Mom who’s having my little brother…

In case you didn’t know

You see me and make me feel warm

In a world so cold

Like me I guess

So all I can give you is my very best promise

That child these hands will hold you

Until the world stops spinning

Falls off its axis

In another life I was queen

And you will have to accept your destiny

Rule your land

Run your kingdom

Raise your kings and queens to feel compassion

And never regret your bold decisions

Trust them and no one will question

But son do not worry because we were soldiers

Fight with valiance

Only use defiance

When your heart will not allow you to follow direct commands

Fear is an option         Combat commands it of us

Be afraid of the capability of your own hands

Against another

Because you should always first and foremost love your brother

We were slaves

I remember the way you didn’t you didn’t cry when the boat rocked and I remember the way your hair smelled

You kept me from leaping

I was a teacher

You must learn to be a student

Respect me and I will respect you

My job is to harangue  preach  and give speeches

When I feel its necessary

Your job is to listen

Understanding is your greatest tool

And your mind is your greatest weapon

Because it is the only thing an enemy cannot destroy

And son if you remember nothing else

Remember you are descendant of artists

Poetry is your native tongue

And music heats your blood

You have the eyes to see the colors of the grotesque beauty of the world

Cherish who you are and what you can create

And I will always be here for you