Journeys From The Stoop Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Journeys from the stoop,
I would participate with friends...
Sitting upon them as a child.

We would use our imaginations,
And travel to destinations.
Seeking to leave,
Urban city life.

Concrete dreams...
We would plant to watch grow.
Hoping to come back to the 'hood'
To show each other...
Who did what and did that good.
And share with others we then did know.

Yet some stayed.
To make their corner visits regular.
Not moving too far from steps they made.
To preserve and protect a 'turf' they praised.

And I look back these days...
After all the renovations of old neighborhoods made.
Wondering
As I look into the eyes of friends who have aged...
Why did they ever release their dreams,
To allow themselves to fade...
To times now discussing who among them,
Has gone and passed away.