Sirens fade into the cityscape.
Cigarette smoke encircles the face.
She stands at the corner lost.
She stands at the corner waiting.

The city lights mask the darkness
sleeping beneath bridges,
the depth of hopelessness
strolling midnight streets.

Beyond here false prophets
speak hollow words and promises
that never come to fruition,
they never come down here.

What is left when hope has left?
What do I tell my children?

She looks each way, pause
and crosses the street to
another corner, another street light
hoping this side will be different.