Chicago

I exited Marshall Field’s

On to State Street like a boss…

I joined the human currents;

Following those who were not lost.

I traveled on the buses,

Taxis and rode the EL through town…

Saw sunsets sink between buildings,

While a few pub crawls went down.

The restaurants, and the lake shores

Were unique and very charming…

Yet the dense population and violence,

Waved red flag warnings; so alarming. 

As a child my father showed me,

Al Capone’s scars on a theater...

The mob never attacked the innocent,

Now there are indiscriminate beaters.

I’ll never forget the relief

When I checked into O’Hare…

Twenty minutes before takeoff,

‘Till I was safely out of there.