Chicago.

Two million people with stories untold.

Their bitter lives scarred by the affects of

all the others settled around them.

There really is a history hidden here.

There are tears dried up 

in the cracks of sidewalks, 

and lipstick-written notes 

written in the bathroom stalls,

scattered pieces of paper and bullets, 

and a man with a guitar playing for petty change.

So many people live their lives

wandering through the city known

for famous firsts and tragic affairs.

Yet most of these people ignore 

the strange others living around them,

and they seem to miss the present.

They don't listen.

Author's Note

I didn't exactly know how to end this poem very well. Hopefully it'll do for now. I lacked inspiration and this isn't really the poem I had in mind when I first started writing. But it'll do. Enjoy.

Reviews

[ZeeArsonist]

Midwest, represent! I know that *thing* about Chicago, too. I can feel it in my bones when I walk around there. It gets on your skin. It has a taste. I really enjoyed the imagery here. I put me right back at the Belmont stop. you really hit it on the nail, this social interaction/dysfunction. Working Class locals leave just enough time in their morning commute to ignore anything that does not involve coffee, cigarettes or a taxi driver. The tourists panicwhisper and hold their breath as they awkwardly pass the ones waiting for change to drop. They feel guilty, but the feeling soon passes. life goes on.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Explains big city life in general...yet you're talking about Chicago here...the imagery is displayed throughout this verse...gives us a feel of being the one in the verse describing how everything is unfolding...a big city doesn't listen...since there is a lot of distractions...and the routine of it all...becomes the norm...like robots...just going from place to place...

[Matt-R]

City's I find very cold. Artist's or Celebrities, giving hope for a tainted town.
Wind blowing debris through the streets of emptiness.

To the country I reside, where my life might have some hope.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i've spent many days walking around chicago...this captures it pretty well...it also reminds me much of where i am originally from...Bronx, NY...

walking around NY City...similar...so many people passing each other by and not noticing...either by tunnel vision..or just not wanting to notice others...

always a certain fear of interaction and who that person may be.

and they do miss the present...and the ending to me..is absolutely perfect.

jacob

[zainul]

A poem on humanity.
A design that captivates.
You write well.
You can't escape again.
Please stay and charm for the day!:)

[CharlesMonroe]

Amazing as always, my love.

[Danielle Bernard]

I liked the way it was written, like a story almost. Short and simple... Nice.

[Angie Diane♥&hea..]

It was a a great poem. I loved the imagery. I thought you ended it nicely. The flow was amazing though. I enjoyed reading this. Hope to read more from you when I have the time. Thanks for sharing.

[Graveyardfuck]

I really like this poem, great work.

[Emma Keynes]

I like the ending. I really appreciate this kind of description ("There are tears dried up in the cracks of sidewalks, and lipstick-written notes written in the bathroom stalls, scattered pieces of paper and bullets, and a man with a guitar playing for petty change") and think it works really well here.

I really like it. Nice job.