FOR Promptly Poetry Challenge (2023-24)

ALLEY

The alley is too narrow
for a car to go through
Which makes it safe for pedestrians
and kids, who need a place to play.

'Narrow' is usually associated
with bigotry, or prejudice
A narrow outlook, a narrow mind
It's considered dangerous.

But a narrow road -- an alley
Implies safety,
implies health (less pollution)
Implies slowing down, taking time

When the alley gets dark though
It's suddenly sinister
More dangerous than a dark road
from which quick escape is possible

I guess an alley is like anything else
Safe and good sometimes, dangerous sometimes
It's when you walk it, how and with whom
That bring about your experience.

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