"Waking Up Harlem"

“Waking Up Harlem”
Crumbling rooftop ledges
Bear stooping, perched angels
Legs dangling over the edges
“Do you hear?” one angel inquires
“Harlem has awakened.”

Bed springs groan while
Sleepy children moan
“Lord, help me Jesus get through another day.”
Brooms swish, wet laundry sways
The stoops holding onto faith
As children with marbles and hopscotch play

The frying grease will hisssss
Street hustlers give and take
Fresh-faced lovers kiss
“Child, get your black behind off my fire escape!”
Shattered windows, broken dreams
‘Ol Lou puffing on his Black and Mild
Blue leisure suit bursting at the seams

Rattling mufflers, coughing cars
“What you say, my brotha?”
Coins ploinking in a tin cup
Making rhythm of with an acoustic guitar
Busy feet, tapping the beat

Of a heart that’s broken
“We cool.” Playing pool
Avoiding the unspoken
Cool cats, wide brimmed hats
Sit and hum a respectful tune
“Amazing grace….”
“Lord, save this place….”
As a victim makes his final journey

Through the streets
Not a peep
Can be heard from the people of Harlem
The rhythm is slow
The sun setting low

On crumbling rooftops sit
Gaurdians of the past and present
Spreading their wings, they smile and sigh
And Harlem sleeps again