The Metropolis Series: Part I

PART I
Walking the Pedestrian Lane at 10PM

I walk by stupor slow'd,
out the door and to the night
a glance back bringing sight
lights blaring, glaring
in Darkness illuminating
Modern blinding cacophony
of Sound, Light, and sweeten'd Air
with coldness seeping skin beyond compare
I shudder, return to Night's embrace
warm'd and cool'd by Its gentle grace
Star and Cloud and silvery Moon
far comforting than Modern Doom
in Pestilence not a whit survive
in any form, in any kind
and most pandemic of all that thrive
haggard Sluggishness that Modern world bind
Sloth, that bodily motion it rests
and deems best to movement wane
in luxury's soft caress
action waxed and smitten by newfound bane
walking, strolling, wandering
with Darkness aimless pacing
lift, advance, put down
pedaling, stepping with clarity and vision
brooking no disparity
and focused in one Mission
yet Mission today I had none
no purpose, no plans
i walk, stroll with swinging hands
heading to uncharted lands
of Jungle Metropolitan, at darkest of dark
of Predators pouncing
and Prey unwary in unending lark
in step, I see before
my Path lies, crook'd, narrow, crack'd
like ancient roads of ancient lore
into the fore mysterious and adventure-pack'd
in stroll I length by length transverse
the pathway before diverse
turn left, turn right
forward harch with no end in sight
I see vagrants, in clothing bare
with aimless path approached me near
defiant stoop and wary glare
impose my innards with deathly Fear
yet no purpose of harm intent
a glare mistook for evil bent
melt'd softly to famished discontent
hunger, thirst, yet nothing to spare
rumblings that the stomach growled
retard'd body, mind impair
by Famine's breath unceasing foul'd
I traveled on, and wandered thus
Walker to Spectator of heated battle
male Tongues scarlet inflamm'd discuss
that that self-same field did verily rattle
in Tension palpable between male Constables
on petty Argument built Discord and Strife
small discourse transform'd to brutal Slight
wav'd threatened Harm and blinded Rage
that field became with Anger rife
I deigned to interfere
and pass'd their most detestable woes
pass'd the Peace-Keepers with attitude queer
in keeping Amity red furious War grows
then met I with surprise abrupt
three vagrants of differing height
dirtied by grime and fluster'd with dust
prancing happily in the fullness of Night
in amusement and fascinated delight
I slow'd my pace and watch'd their sight
and heard their Melody ring my ears
three Angels Wingless sing harmonious hymns
then pass'd a conversing couple
in dress well-made, in pace well-hurried
and snatched a fragment not so subtle
a phrase in which that hymn be buried
arrayed in pomp and disdain
with thoughtless glance made remark insane
hear nothing but ominous chatter
see nothing but Monsters in tatters
in Death there be many states
Indifference most callous and lethal fate
in spoken word released dids't decree
Death to angelic Rogues of all degree
gloom awashed I pass'd
In fourth time saddened last
Lo and behold the Modern flame
burning bright with lifeless Life
whence floods of men dids't came
that drown sorrows in drunken flood
inundate the grounded Angels 'round
suffering Angels of Flesh and Blood
roaming, staring into nothingness
desiring Food and Shelter, nothing else
and for whom the death toll early bells
rung by Prey turn'd Predator incarnate
that helpless Predator was hung
by comforted Prey discriminate
with Modern spear brandish'd and fatally stung
Disenchant'd, and weak
Burden'd by a world so bleak
Would that I drown in my sleep
and suffocate in my true Brother's steed.