taking the scenic route to work

i take the scenic

route

to work,

the one downtown,

straight

up the middle of the city.

i want to see

the decay

and destruction,

the shake downs,

the drugs and hookers,

the carjackings

and violence.

i want to hear the crackle

of syringes

under my tires.

i want to smell

things burning,

see the broken windows,

see the police

in their cars

with their party

lights on.

i want to hear the screams

and the cries

of those

barely surviving,

partially alive.

everyone should 

take the scenic route

downtown, and see for

yourself,

the underside.