Black Hell

Once upon a time the streets were lively in that small town
Teenagers cruised the main drag on weekends
Honking and yelling at one another in passing
Children pedaled vigorously to meet their friends in the park
Or to the corner store for candy and arcade games
Mothers pushed their babies in strollers
Around the walking path
Or across the fairgrounds
Circling the midway to the sounds of a carnival
Lights from the streetlamps and storefronts illuminated the night sky
Generations of families lived there
“It’s a safe place to raise kids”
Everyone knew everyone
The faces were all familiar

But people began wanting more than what small town life could offer
The teenagers went off to college
Honking and
Waving goodbye
The corner stores closed and
Children stayed home to play video games
The soil harbored bitterness and
Mothers took their babies away
“It’s not safe there anymore”

The streets are barren
The storefronts boarded up
The faces are all sullen

The driver of a lonely car on the main drag sees a black and white town
Devoid of color
     Growing old
          Dying