it's Disney land now

i miss

the old Time's Square,

the derelicts

and pick pockets, the floozies

on the corner,

the peep shows,

the x rated movie theaters

and ho's

with wigs

wearing fishnet stockings

and high heels.

i miss the smell of it

with cheap diners

frying greasy eggs,

the brawls

in half lit bars,

the stench of Sodom

and Gomorrah.

drunks and addicts clumped

together

on the curbs.

i miss the rats scurrying

through

the garbage,

the screaming

in dark alleys,

gunshots,

the sirens blaring all night long.

the party lights

of cop cars

swirling red in the night air.

i miss

the sound of it all,

the fear

and loathing.

the desperation.

it made you glad to get on

a plane

with your Pan Am bag

and go home.

it's just different now.