Downtown Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

Downtown

Years ago, Petula,
Sang a song for downtown.

Then, I was very young,
Possibly in the late teens.

Today, I went to see,
Vancouver's Old City,
Hamilton and Hasting,
And Pender, and Cambie.

Plenty were building,
Old, bricks, attractive,
Restaurants, coffee shops,
Saw women in high heels.

Juxtaposed her lyrics
With the homeless in scene,
As well as the addicts.

Those in suits, in high heels,
Too many, some rushing,
Most weary and addicts,
Huddled under the tarps.

Headed east to escape,
I thought of fentanyl:
"The makers, the reasons?
Who brings, from where? "

A cascade of questions:
"And who are consumers?
What can be the reason?
Why do they consume it?
What cure? Medicine? "

The answers were bitter:
"First start was science,
Then greed, selfishness,
Addicts are from the,
Social life's ill, sickness! "