Sidewalk Cracks

Sidewalk Cracks


I used see love in the sidewalk cracks
On 51st street
Shaded by the towering oaks
The memories of thousands of feet
Strolling down the lane
Hand in hand
Now I look down
To an empty hand.

I used to see love in the overgrown ivy
Left to its own design
Painting the brick façade with life
Grasping, clinging, climbing
Giving life to the houses
Side by side
Now they are decayed
Abandoned.

I used to see love in the faces of strangers
Passing by
Hurrying to nowhere
Without a care
A constant hum to sing along with
Now silence
I can’t hear them now
I won’t hear them now.

I used to feel life like a possession
To be treasured
Held in my hand, fragile and precious
Now it’s bruised
Painful to the touch
Fading
I watch it fall from my touch
Fall from my hand
To be crushed into the sidewalk cracks.