a poem by Adrien in response to the prompt, "No More Visiting Poets."

Let the city speak for itself

In the thrum and patter

Of wheels over manholes,

And chatter out the open bars' doors,

The clatter of dishes

In the stainless waste sinks,

And the rise and fall

Of the sirens' wail --

We don't need no visiting poets!

We don't need no visiting poets

To show us the swish and glide

Of folks on the sidewalks,

Making ballet of walks to

Shop or to work,

To play or to home.

We see the rush of colors,

Hear the symphony of sound,

Catch a glimpse of our

Wonderful selves in the

Plate glass and neon graced

Puddles of yesterday's rain.

No, we don't need no 

Visiting poets to slam our

Noses into the stench

Of urine soaked alleys,

Overfull dumpsters,

Or the reeking bundle of clothes

In a doorway that holds a soul.

The city speaks and sings to us of

Poverty, injustice, beauty and wealth.

Today, in this moment, mind and senses aflame.

We don't need no visiting poets. 

                                                          by Adrien Helm