Silent Witness

I've witnessed wraiths upon the street,
those ghosts before their time,
with hopes and dreams beneath concrete
and stubborn paradigm,
the rhythms there exempt the beat
below intrepid breast,
where courage lies so obsolete
beneath eternal jest.

I've seen their bitter silhouettes
astride the wake of joy,
like fading wisps from Ciggerettes
that time will soon destroy
and watched them ride that ebon wave
to purgatory's gate
where niether heart 'nor soul can brave
the silence 'mid the wait.

I've viewed the fear beneath their eyes
like flashbacks 'mid a reel,
it's mission meant to paralyze
what conscious can't conceal
and yet, I know I'm not immune
'nor numb to It's effect,
just hollow meat it must impugn
as destinies correct.

I've witnessed wraiths upon the street,
those ghosts before their time,
with hopes and dreams beneath concrete
and stubborn paradigm,
the rhythms there exempt the beat
below intrepid breast,
I've strolled among them 'midst defeat,
"The same as all the rest".....