By J.J. Tindall
DIVISION STREET: TWO AMERICAS
This side the dark and hollow bound
lies there no unexplored ground?
1986: Ashland to Western,
Freedom Fighter Promenade.
Poets, musicians, crack whores and junkies,
teachers and tradesmen smarting from the
Clampdown, finding communion.
Fighting to be free,
freedom of EXPRESSION, freedom from
OPPRESSION.
Zakopane, Phyllis’, Gold Star,
Czar Bar, Leo’s Lunchroom, Duk’s Hamburgers,
Mexican dance bars, the City’s Clean Needle
van. Se vende . . . 2006: Boutiques, wine-bars,
banks and condos, Cliche America straining to be
both rich and
hip.
Western Avenue=Division.
Roberto Clemente inaugurates Fresh America.
Paseo Boricua, Freedom Fighter
Promenade, where flags of fire-born steel
wave in perpetuity.
Communion Street, COMMUNITY, “No Se Vende!”
Americans claiming their singular identity, Port
Richard as Plymouth Rock. We remain OURSELVES,
we claim our freedom to SIGNIFY . . .
Two Americas in tandem, one invisible wall,
Freedom’s Phoenix Rising past Freedom’s glossy
fall.
–
J. J. Tindall is the Beachwood’s poet-in-residence. He can reached at jjtindall@yahoo.com. Chicagoetry is an exclusive Beachwood collection-in-progress.
Posted on May 21, 2008