The sunset, rather than majestic, feels colder.
Rather than orange and purple, it shines dark brown,
a color matching the tarnished brick walk-ups.
A given row of four buildings is likely to feature
an Italian restaurant and a liquor store.
There are bars on all the windows
but still half of them are shattered.
Streetlamps are yellowed or broken.
Illumination comes from billboards
advertising the newest razor and latest fad.
Three university students stand under an awning
smoking unfiltered cigarettes. They speak about nothing.
The pharmacy on the corner boasts a soda fountain.
It has not functioned for twenty years.
There is a clamor in the alley.
An old man has been mugged and shot in the head.
The shooter walks across the street,
staring down cars which motor onward.
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