Decay Poem by Kevin Carney

Sitting in the Dunkin Donuts…
So hard am I trying to sober up.
Pour me another cup before; I am going to pass out.
Make it black and please no decaf…
The stronger the better, it’s going to help me.
Throw me a donut, hell I am not worried ‘bout the sugar high.

What a slice of America…
Late night, the moon is high…
And so am I…
Jane, the hooker takes a break…
In between her dates, sitting in the corner…
I don’t think she’s even eighteen…

Miguel, Pedro and Jesus…
Come shuffling in, ordering a dozen.
Extra cream in their coffees, it’s going to be a long night.
The high rise they clean, they hope ICE won’t show up.
Their wives and kids living in the shadows…
It’s the American dream, they believe.

Deshaun and his crew…
Sitting in the corner of dark shadows.
Passing out the dime bags to anyone who dares…
It doesn’t matter; he’d sell to anyone.
Business been good they all added new gold chains.
It’s all about dollars and cents…don’t forget the bling.

The local activists in all there finery…
Sit there drinking coffee, discussing the ills of the world.
Led by I think her name is Sue.
Kids are too fat, we’re not green enough.
Gloom and doom, the world is going to end…
They just don’t get it, how can you tell?

Father John, at the counter eating a cruller…
Haggard and tired, praying for some guidance.
There’s the youth center, oh how things have changed.
The homeless come in droves; it’s the only meal they get.
Speaking the word of God…
Falling on deaf ears in a half filled church.

The old neighborhood, not what it was…
Where has everyone gone?
Change they say is good…
What about us, who have stayed?
Trying to hold on and wanting to believe…
Just wallowing in decay.