Bomb the brutal.
Look up at the ceiling,
it's pretty isn't it?
A shame if it were toppled.

Lie in the rain, stand
on wet grass; let it soak,
suck the seethe out.
Infla(mma)tion is bad
for you, chronic especially,
haven't you heard?

It's true, heavy showers
make things more beautiful.
Don't you feel alluring too?
Dance in the field if you
know how, or just run and slide
down the little hill of a slope.
You have a dry home waiting;
don't be shy, you won't catch a cold.

Climb a tree and see
what the squirrel sees.
Have you seen your
home in the rain?

They ruined my street.
Added | lines --- and [] bollards
the road's wearing a corset
and it can't breathe
and the runoff is flowing
down the seams.

Can the squirrel even
cross the street now?
What if it sees yellow
and stops but the car doesn't slow down
and even if it does
now it has to cross
the two-way bike lane.

The road was wide enough
for everyone to share.
I wish the rain came sooner
and washed it all away.

They didn't even ask.
Who does anyway.
It's not like every kid
wanted some more
swings and monkey bars.
I want monkey bars.
But at least we have trees.

Who asked?
Nobody wanted this.
Or maybe they did.
Those folks in the shiny
towers down yonder.
Maybe H Block wasn't safe
enough, not downtown enough.
Maybe they don't like breathing.
Maybe they never got to color
outside the lines. I guess that's
why they drew some for us.
We don't live here anyway.
We're just squatters who pay
rent and work till our backs give.
And who wouldn't kiss the devil to
live in a condo? That's the dream I tell ya!

It's not all bad though. I'm already
getting used to the new rules,
the new stop signs. And thank God
they put up a sign to yield to oncoming
cars—my dumbass would've never paused
before taking the left into the garage.

I'm Indian but I feel like a real
Indian now, a real proper savage
who likes having trees.
Just give me some paint
for my face and maybe poke
a few holes in me and scar me up—
I already have two skulls rotting
in my yard. I took drama in school
so let me know if you need an
Indian "Indian" to play the idiot fool.
Then you can come save me, Lord
Saviours, and send me again to school.
Yes, I could use some education.
I hear the kids these days are putting
parrots to shame. Sing a song and hop
along and pop a hip but oh, silly goose,
you don't need to learn how to read!
ChatGPT will do it all for you,
so just pop the pill and have your fill,
there's always so much more to scroll!

And I know you'll miss the Center
but Science is for dummies, and look there,
aren't those gloomy scrapers just so cool!

Oh, it's okay to be hungry. There are
bins all around, but these stores won't
give you their garbage. It's not healthy
to eat free food. And I believe in you
so just work a lil harder and I'm sure
you won't one day be poor.

Well then, move along children,
and don't be naughty now.
Good things happen to those
who follow all the rules.



© Walyullah