unashamed smoky alleys, rock walls overlook back porch squatters pigeons wary of a changing breeze and strangers without wings garble a frightened message taking flight barred windows, forgotten garbage, and bells ringing, signal the top of the hour; for some the end, others, late for dinner
Open boxcars men failed at chance broken families seasons to forget miles separate the pain turned up collars faded jeans empty pockets soft eyes yesterdays meal from garbage cans behind a diner at a river town bayous and bridges sand and deserts push on engines running hot grease and creosote luck long gone past … More RUNNING AWAY
A high heat pushed roadway lines sideways crowds trample the streets pulled toward destinations in a sea of shoulders fire escapes spread waffle slanted shadows onto faded bricks a radio pushes static into an alley garbage cans release the aroma of yesterday young men rolled up sleeves bright buckles black pocket … More EYES OPEN
A muddy river, thick with silt, half trees and trash, flows slowly past the city, slipping under bridges, competing with barges, rolling through like in dreams when you feel your running underwater. Docks and spits of land reach out at the passing debris; bulldogs inspecting their next meal. Stone legs from a train overpass push … More POUNDING WATER
The favor of rain washed the city. Wandering masquerades of hats and umbrellas blossom the storm. Vehicle horns curse the air. Sewer covers are the genius of casual art work. Steam pipes eject from below the devils exhaust. Puddles reflect the sky, passing tires shatter the image. Linens smoothly wave themselves dry. A cat warms … More A FULL WASH
It was a basement apartment. Concrete steps without a handrail. Faded blue chipped plaster walls. There was an aroma of stagnate steamy air and garbage. Light bulbs hung from brown wires. Echoes of dripping water. Heavy footsteps in the hallway above. Pipes ached from sending hot water to the floors above. The furnace growled with … More DOWN BELOW
Roger Singer 