Friday, December 4, 2015

Pittsburgh Evolution


  
Typical abandoned old soot grime steel mills
sulfur wafting through Braun’s bread 
on the way home from the store when I was ten
The loaves were usually marred with alley dirt
always a few slices short
Staples for the long walk home from school

Shopping trips to Bogg’s and Buhl’s and Diamond Market
hanging on to bags and sweaty palms
lest I lost my way in the crowds of sale mongers
or missed a step on the streetcar
with its scary electric arm
protruding the sky for its life source

Herr’s Island hoofaroma stunk up the whole East Street Valley
with the souls of the slaughtered given way to big house fever
and carbon monoxide spewing SUVs in the morning rat race
and Bogg’s and Buhl’s never had a chance
in the tear ‘em down, build ‘em up society

Now, city strip paints pictures of Asian chicken sticks
and bagels piled high on your plate on a lazy Saturday morning.
          You and I will never know half the stories
          and the dust will never settle in this city

                          
Sandra L. Hazley
                                               


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