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This selection received first prize in the
poetry division of Contrast's writing con-
test.

Escape

CONNIE SHANKLE

The broken path of night
Is hidden in the leaves of dust
Like shadauis covering
Openness of love-
Where springs from doubt
The solace of the hour
Spent in some tin-pan alley
Of a lifetime's hidden dreams.
The passion of the broken labor
Seals in basements of decay
Besides a strand of puerile light
And streets of tarnished ends.
The crow brings only rude awakenings
To the sleep of tired distrust
Tasteless coffee in a dirty cup
From noon until the encore-

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