A Hymn for Detroit
complex vast diversity
city flaunting glitz and glamor
gleaming in bright sunshine
glittering in harsher neon
no time to slow down
just watch the pretty people play
no time for any sleep
party like you have no cares
this is the place to be
the streets flowing with life blood
illusions of good times
all this make believe prosperity
don't turn your head
look only at the pretty lights
don't turn your head
pretend you can't see or hear
don't turn your head
the reality is cold and harsh
a bastion of higher learning
educating those young minds
seeking to fix things
make the world a better place
don't look over there
homeless sleeping on a bench
in the middle of it all
a different kind of education
walk down the street
with student apartments scattered
vacant lots beside them
campgrounds for the poor
don't turn your head
look only at the pretty lights
don't turn your head
pretend you can't see or hear
don't turn your head
the reality is cold and harsh
the other side of the city
seen in the cold harsh light of day
empty skeletons revealed
evidence of destroyed dreams
first you sold your dignity
then you gave away all honor
corrupting even your pride
making hope a false dream
many will call you dead
give you up as a lost cause
pointing to your decay
calling out your failed leadership
you are not dead at all
there is still much life in you
you are very gravely ill
the prescriptions aren't working
gangrene running rampant
where neighborhoods once thrived
poisoning the future generations
offering nothing but despair
infections haunt your halls
diseases like corruption and greed
stealing away your visions
your life sold for personal gain
lift up your head again
call out with a loud voice once more
lift up your head again
let the world know you still live
lift up your head again
stand proud and straight and tall
rise up once more dear city
shake off the negativity you wear
listen to your heart again
it is time to regain your life
do not fear to exercise
burn away the fat that slows you
restore your corridors of commerce
re tone the atrophied limbs
celebrate your heritage
no place else will ever be like you
the story of your life is grand
it is not time for obituaries
lift up your head again
call out with a loud voice once more
lift up your head again
let the world know you still live
lift up your head again
stand proud and straight and tall
Phenomenal!!! It must be read aloud to be fully appreciated, all. The mouth forms around the words and the words create both a fullness and a pride that cannot be denied. I have never even visited Detroit, and I recognize myself in this poem. Congratulations!!
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