A border town faceless and hostile as a car bomb
With sailors and donkies for prostitutes that pull
their life's work behind them in suitcases on loud wheels.
A drunk bald tattoed spic gets his head bashed in with a
Corona bottle while I'm talking to a cute, and pudgy,
beauty that thinks I'm as fruity, as parrot soup & Chili Verde.
Everything is for sale, everyone is waiting
To take you in their door and give
you a taste of your own medicine.
One last walk around the cobblestoned block
A beautiful street walker flashes me her plump brown
tits; then pulls up her skirt, and tops that with a prick.
I flick my cigarette, and then show her mine's
bigger than hers, limp later, I go eat at something
resembling a Denny's I order using the English menu
I get the "scrabeled eggs and bakon" with a smile turned mad grin.
When the sun finally arrives I find a crack to climb into,
and sleep it off, wait it out -- Having no intention of seeing
us filthy inbetween people returning to normal
Because, I know we won't ever let ourselves.
Author notes
Written December 23rd, 2003
In a list
A contest entry
- Nights in the City - Short Poems, please! by Anna Kay.
500 points, ended November 13, 2005, 23 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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I like this one a lot, there is nothing about this poem that feels made up or palliated - just raw, brutal life as it is. This is probably what - to me - made this poem so immediate and vivid, I could picture the scenery very well and let my mind go on a walk.
I also liked the flow of the poem a lot - but even more I enjoyed the really interesting similes, especially in the first stanza. Despite the shortness the poem manages to give the reader a whole lot of detail, things that do not seem important at the first glance but add so much to the whole atmosphere (like the "scrabeled eggs and bakon", to name just one).
The ending was great as well - it made me picture a awaking city...when the night fades away and you are still up and crazy, while people get up and go to work already...it always left me with this weird feeling.
A great poem which I found creative, well-written and original - and which I certainly enjoyed a lot! Thanks for entering
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Cool as ever
There is a little border town somewhere in all of us. It is in knowing where to find the cracks that the artist is born.
You, Sir, crack me up.
Peace,
Ed -
this was interesting, and had imagery to it. i could see everything that was going on. it was actually kind of weird if you ask me. the flow was nice. keep up the good work.
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You paint a vivid picture, a very real collage of sleaze and enterprise. I can almost smell it.
The last few lines caught me up; not clear what the references are for "we" and "them." That could be just my pokey brain.
But, mostly, a pleasure to experience. Well done.
p.s. donkeys
Edited on May 11, 10:13 p.m. because 'pl'. -
Hmm, interesting write here, I enjoyed this, it's a harsh look at society. Ever been to Tijuana? Sounds something like that, or the slums area of Alcapulco. I liked this piece for it's realism, well, I think thats the word I want. Anyways, nice write, I'll be checking out more of your work, Muchas amor, Mandy
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This is such a great bit of writing
David -
Touching in an awful, awful way.
You are really too talented.
I love the third stanza. 'Everyone is for sale' is so direct and bitter, but somehow in the context comes out extremely depressing, even pity-evoking. I can't stand the last stanza for how good it is. And I don't get jealous easily.
Damn, good job. Thanks for entering my contest.
~Hannah~ -
This is excellent. A great slice of life. I was picturing Tijuana on Saturday night but you really captured the seediness of just about any border town anywhere that caters to the riff-raff out looking for cheap sex, etc. I'm very impressed with this.
Mark -
Cool poem. I like the descriptions. You make me see what you're seeing. I didn't think it was boring at all.
~Tawnya~ -
this is great! I <3 it! You seem to recognize all of the little things around you-- things others wouldn't notice. I love your blunt language. It's absolutely fitting of your topic.
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sorry but im gnna be honest and blunt. i thought it was kind of boring, it didn't really convey any emotion or message to me, the flow was quite good though and you seem comfortable with your writing, thats a good thing. so-so but good luck on the conntest
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woho!! You went to Tijuana too!! Awesome, looks like you had a good time. Those pinche cabrones are something else eh? Good write I laughed about the transvesty the hardest (no pun intended) that was a funny little quip!
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