East of St Louis by K.Anstiss
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East of St Louis by K.Anstiss
by kenanstiss on Sat 12 Jul 2008 - 23:46
East of St Louis by K.Anstiss
I drove past a city, that hung its head in shame.
The people living there are proud despite its fame.
It never ever looked like this, the railroad was to blame.
Giants of machines moved in,
and then moved out again.
Thirty thousand souls are there,
from across the Mississippi live.
Just over from St Louis, Gateway Geyser stands.
The archway stands beside it, across this barren land.
The geyser stands the proudest, the tallest in the land.
The jobs are gone, the men gone too,
It’s a wonder they can cope.
The railroad was restructured, they didn’t have a hope.
Fifteen thousand women, struggle to make ends meet.
Twenty thousand dollars, are thrown down at their feet.
It barely keeps them living, it's such crying shame
This city once so proud and tall, has risen to its fame.
Crime rate is the worst now, and it’s the worst it’s ever been.
Murder, rape, and felony, happening outside your door.
What's happened to this city, is it now without the law?
Grey stone walls, and Murphy’s building, statues looking down.
The Max is showing live tonight; some might look and frown,
Devastation ,and neglect abound, and everywhere despair.
The grass grows thick upon the walk, with weeds they make a pair.
Buildings held like prisoners, rotting in despair.
The river bank has lost its soul, it’s a broken muddy mess.
The shore line now is covered, with debris, wood, and cess.
Strung just like a necklace, hanging from the shore.
Bridges that are rusting, are soon to be no more.
Down the speeding highway, East seventy, take a right.
Down to South Cahokia, forty Fifth Street on your right.
Off Bunkem road, lies Holy Angels school, if its not been set alight.
Broken windows, saddened faces, signs that are rusted out.
Houses that are standing, but only just about.
Those that live, are strong and weak, across this great divide.
The ghetto strangely holds them, for them no place to hide.
For the good citizens of East St Louis United States of America
I drove past a city, that hung its head in shame.
The people living there are proud despite its fame.
It never ever looked like this, the railroad was to blame.
Giants of machines moved in,
and then moved out again.
Thirty thousand souls are there,
from across the Mississippi live.
Just over from St Louis, Gateway Geyser stands.
The archway stands beside it, across this barren land.
The geyser stands the proudest, the tallest in the land.
The jobs are gone, the men gone too,
It’s a wonder they can cope.
The railroad was restructured, they didn’t have a hope.
Fifteen thousand women, struggle to make ends meet.
Twenty thousand dollars, are thrown down at their feet.
It barely keeps them living, it's such crying shame
This city once so proud and tall, has risen to its fame.
Crime rate is the worst now, and it’s the worst it’s ever been.
Murder, rape, and felony, happening outside your door.
What's happened to this city, is it now without the law?
Grey stone walls, and Murphy’s building, statues looking down.
The Max is showing live tonight; some might look and frown,
Devastation ,and neglect abound, and everywhere despair.
The grass grows thick upon the walk, with weeds they make a pair.
Buildings held like prisoners, rotting in despair.
The river bank has lost its soul, it’s a broken muddy mess.
The shore line now is covered, with debris, wood, and cess.
Strung just like a necklace, hanging from the shore.
Bridges that are rusting, are soon to be no more.
Down the speeding highway, East seventy, take a right.
Down to South Cahokia, forty Fifth Street on your right.
Off Bunkem road, lies Holy Angels school, if its not been set alight.
Broken windows, saddened faces, signs that are rusted out.
Houses that are standing, but only just about.
Those that live, are strong and weak, across this great divide.
The ghetto strangely holds them, for them no place to hide.
For the good citizens of East St Louis United States of America
Re: East of St Louis by K.Anstiss
by Maggie on Wed 13 Aug 2008 - 22:14
Hi Ken
An excellent choice of poetry. Really enjoyed reading them.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Maggie
An excellent choice of poetry. Really enjoyed reading them.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Maggie
