The Tail of Suburbia

 
Under the coldblooded stare of the moon
whores and junkies
churn-out bones from concrete,
exchanging hope for cash.

A lawyer goes home to his wife
while the whore regurgitates him
then spits him onto the stained pavement
as she gives a Mercedes her best
toothless tease.
The Mercedes swaps her bellyaches
for a fractured eye-socket and a severed rectum.
He's not paying, but unfolds her
at the hospital door.

There's a heroin fiend heaped
on the hospital toilet
just hours after doctors saved his life.
A bloody needle post-dance
in his arm.
Along the corridor there's a five year old girl
with three cancerous tumors
ploughing through her veins.
Her world is agony:
every move is excruciating
but more morphine is a risk.
She screams weakly, desperate to be held
and all her parents can do is watch.

They've sold the house, the car;
cash for hope.
The last of their personal possessions
were taken by burglars, even photos.
She fades before them, unheld.