Brokeness

brokeness a constant theme
the poverty between the trees
tired, dirty faces
peering out from chain-link fences
grubby hands, begging, outreached
muttered words of anger
rising in the dusty heat
sweat and grime swirling
from hair to feet
glass, trash, all litter the streets
children crying,for something to eat
but love is here
between the skeletal trees
reaching out, and enveloping me
a cracked smile
revealing missing tooth
people dying, for lack of safe roof
a vicious cycle of homelessness
end this era of brokeness