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Franklin Ave, the unceasing extrances and exits of people

from stores - many having 9 lives
the wormlike cars, bulging whenever doubling

loud idlers gossiov from alcohol
a silent stream carrying mashed cigarettes, swashed cans

and grimy bags, dying into a sewer
a woman pushing a Key Good cart
the rythmic thuds of cars beating against the persistent

streetcar tracks
the flashy adorned braids of a pregnant woman

the institutional 33-floor apartment
at a secretive corner, a man fanning green bills for a can

of opium.
Smelled a "pot" brewing, fruits rotting on a garbage heap.

On intersecting Crowns Street, skipping a cluster of children

under a shade 3 talking casual men
a man lamely sitting against a car watching every passing

pedestrian, whistling when a pretty face comes by
a loud dialogue between an upstairs voice and a ground voice
a huge huddle of garbage bags - some successfully knotted

others flying open as if playing with the wind
2 pigeons afraid to go near as if someone will hit them
now and then, the deep drum-beats of Bob Marley reggae

3 fully-clothed lanky boys playing light soccer
a slant hydrant pouring out its life-giving liquid into the

littered street.

Faced across Washington Ave, I see the green castle waving

its national blue-white-red handkerchief
behind where every plant or tree is botanically labelled
where goldfishes, ducks, turtles and tadpoles are the

happy inhabitants
the graceful landscape spotted and lined with trees and

shrubs having some painted leaves
the lucky visitors see flashes of June brides and grooms

with their retinues.
Beyond the border of Brooklyn Botanic Garden stands the famed

park - Prospect.
Beyond the east, a Museum, a Library, a school for the Deaf,

a Jewish hospital.
Beyond the south, a synagogue, a passing man clothed in black

with his long side curls - signs of Orthodox Jewish neighborhood.

Beyond west where Washington marries Flatbush at the altar,
the half-living and half-dead stores and the road under construction

reminds me of the BLACKOUT - in DAYLIGHT
desperate consumers wrecking the stores down to nothing
the electricity taking a vacation leaving the small business-

men bankrupted. Brooklyn
"Try again" Brooklyn Brooklyn
"Work a little harder"
"You'll make it!"

THERE

IS

HOPE!
BROOKLYN!

~

---Susan A. Lucy

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