by Steve Balkin

(2001)

Couples, families,

A car full of friends drive by

Like in a funeral procession,

Or an expedition.

**

They drive down

A mostly torn-down

South Halsted To Maxwell Street.

**

Eyes showing disappointment

And hunger,

Each one yells,

"Where's the Polish Stands?"

Or, "Where Can I get a Polish?"

**

The people have been pushed

Out of time,

Out of place,

Surrounded by ruins

Waiting for the final wrecking-ball guillotine.

**

"Your Mayor did this," I tell them.

And they yell back,

"He ain't my Mayor."

"I'm from Chicago.

But what we wanted was 20 Polishes

to bring to St. Louis."

**

A scraggly sign

bears the sentiment of hope:

Jewtown, Jewtown

gonna rise again.

Don't know where.

Don't know when."

-00-

web page provided by OPENAIR-MARKET NET

return to the top of the page

return to Preserve Maxwell Street