Echo Park

Welcome to Echo Park-park-park-park
Where you hear the cries long before dark-dark-dark-dark.
In the bushes you hear the faint “oohs” and “ahhs” of the neighborhood crack fein
And it breaks your heart because she’s only a sixteen
Or you hear the licking and slurping of the local whore
That settled for less when she wanted much more
Or the single parent mother trying to escape
Her vicious attacker as she yells out “Rape!”
You don’t see kids on the swings just swinging of fist
Of the local thug that find it hard to resist
Nor will you see a child on the merry-go-round
Nor on the seesaw, going up and down
But what you will see is the drunk that’s down on his luck
Or the homeless old lady begging for a buck
No picnics, no joggers, no feeding of birds
Just the local drug dealer sealing his herbs
Gang bangers and graffiti adorn the sidewalk
Everyone hears but is afraid to talk
Welcome to Echo Park, where the repetition of sound waves
Ricochet in my mind for days and days
Where the grass is now glass and the sandbox is smut
With used needles and condoms and only God knows what
Echo Park, not the best place for a walk
Because it may end in you outlined in chalk
Welcome to Echo Park-park-park-park
Where you hear the cries long before dark-dark-dark-dark.

Copyright 2007 by Tanaka. All rights reserved.