Daria's blog: "No Title Necessary"

The passersby become more and more intriguing

I follow the bum with eyes only.

the pretty boy with the black eye

and tattooed forearm

relinquishes a smoke to him,

refusing his quarter.

it's not uncommon these days, around here,

to find some semblance of compassion.

it flows on the sidewalks of Maryland Avenue.

drink your fiji water,

watch drunken fish fill up tonight

from the safety of another misspent evening at cartel.

this is where we gather to partake in the wifi

soak ourselves in a bathing of espresso,

sneak our sideways glances at the attractive businessmen in the corner,

the bums in thin, ratty clothing,

the sights and sounds of women in summer

skin gleaming with tan even in the night

my soft whisper of ink and pad

lets the deafening bustle of this place

reach my ears in stereo,

and i scratch the paper in fervor.

another st louie summer, myself and a sketchbook,

the assorted city life inspires my pen to dance

while the air conditioning struggles

to maintain a comfortable balance.

heels click across a busy intersection...

it may look like love,

but instead reeks of a drunken stupor.

don't make eye contact with the homeless man,

or you'll quickly be talked out of your paycheck.

screams of the pretty drunks across the street

echo over the police cruisers,

honking horns from impatient cab drivers

drown out the bustle of the area.

and i came HERE for peace of mind?

the buildings have a colonial charm about them,

so textured and garish against

a tranquil night sky,

the view of the stars marred by city haze

and blinding orange streetlights.

There are trees lining the streets,

but planted by men and left for dead.

The cracked marble is like home,

a tarnished version of perfection,

while steam and funk from the sewer systems

waft above it into the air.

There's art on the walls,

some student projects most likely,

but they emanate sex and rage

like a third-rate pornographic fantasy.

But I'm content to sit in the cold,

sipping on my long-chilled chai,

wondering if you'll ever notice more

than just a friendly girl with a lonely smile.