They're pulling down the old Bijoux theatre
To make way for a shopping mall
The city planners gave tacit approval
And began the waltz with the wrecker's ball.
There were protests and letters written
Some were pasted on the shuttered doors
But their meaning was lost among the postbills
Advertising: this space to let, and nothing more.
So the workers took their breakfast
At the diner down on Fifth and Vine
Chewing words with every mouthful
Where cups of coffee were still a dime.
The town fathers met up together
In council chambers to plan their next step
The poor and down trodden were the targets
Of an overhaul of the city slums to be fixed.
And all the graft and the corruption
Couldn't paper over all the holes
Where the whores and junkie's hide out
And crime is out of their control.
So they made a dead man's bargain
With the devil they all knew
And they all went to hell together
Because that's what politicians always do...
Author notes
your town; my town, anybody's town...
A contest entry
- Depressing, DirtyPretty, Society by KittieLyyn.
450 points, ended March 24, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Calling all Poets for Poetry by Dark Whispers.
375 points, ended March 26, 2007, 19 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Choices by Beating.
450 points, ended March 30, 2007, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Anything! I want you to blow me away with your talent! by Heavens Child.
850 points, ended April 5, 2007, 112 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Pt2 Calling These Rhyming Story Poets. by Sgt B.
525 points, ended June 1, 2007, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Contest to Promote my Commenting ANYTHING GOES!! by Timeless Wisdom.
800 points, ended August 6, 2007, 261 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - C is for... by Pandorea.
800 points, ended May 22, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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man i know exactly what you're saying here. well done. the simple rhyme was effective but didn't draw attention to itself. it all just flowed nicely and worked.
thnkas for entering. -
Hahaha
Loved the ending to this one
The story was clever, Flow was easy, & the rhyme was easy to follow. Job well done!
Thank you for your entry, & Good luck. -
there is a real down beat feel to this and that is amazing to me! Your a Finalist! Good Luck in the Contest!
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Great job on this...economic progress can suck... this is a well written expression of your emotions, good luck and thanx for the entry in my contest.
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Great
A very nicely written poem! The first stanza is my favourite, I keep reading it over and over again!
Nice job!
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"Chewing words with every mouthful"
This is definitely my favorite line. There is just something about it that i love.
This poem has a great concept. I like the story in it. It's so real. I love poems that actually depict things that could be happening around them. It's always nice to be able to stick yourself back into reality once in a while, you know what i mean. Ha, sorry for babbling on your comment.
To make a long story short. I really like this poem.
Nice Job.
Good luck
nikki -
Good little story poem!
I think that you did a fine job relating this story. Lots of towns across the world could identify with what happens to the olde town theater district. I would suggest capitalizing Fifth & Vine but other than that I feel that you have met the mark for this contest and good luck in it! joy
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good job. thanks so much for entering and good luck in my contest.
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