Street Animals

So many creatures

hiding in the night,

governed by fear

totally ruled by fright.

Millions of entities

surrounded by walls,

sealed behind locked doors

from dark lonely halls.

The call of the wild

roaring thru the night,

rushing down a road

without one light.

Distant piercing sirens

somewhere far in the night,

signaling yet another

life snuffing fight.

So many words

hidden between pages,

words unspoken

gathered in little stages.

Staring from behind

thick dark glasses,

as if somehow hiding

from the crowded masses.

Numerous young pups

seeking “King of the Jungle”

roaming dark alleys

thirsting for a rumble.

Thick impervious skin

resistant to all,

toughened over the years

protecting from a fall.

Dark tanned skin

witness to lacerations,

the scars like medals

proving past altercations.

This wild youth animal

struggling thru life,

fighting with destiny

armed with chain-n-knife.

With a distorted view

of how to have fun,

wanting to kick some ass

better yet use a gun.

Depressed by hard times

a high is a must,

to hell with the risk

demanding Angel Dust.

Evidence of these creatures

are in all our states,

locked in their prisons

stamping out license plates.

Serving out their time

seldom showing results,

waiting to return

hero’s to their cults.

Gary R. Cramer

June 19, 1987