Choices, Choices ~ Monday, May 26, 2025

In a parallel universe, you choose
not to get on the Brown Line, but remain

a passenger on the Red Line, you see

parallel at the Fullerton stop, booze
and drugs, the commuters of Chicago
ride the trains, turn a blind eye, to obtain
a pass to work and play in the city
life for some, this routine, week after week
life for others, decisions, long ago
each day, actions catch up with you, today
life is good, tomorrow, nobody knows

understanding context, you say, they pay
no one, make amends, outside, the wind blows
if you play by the rules, your right to speak
vote, make choices, one line or the other
every day, the same but different, the song
remains the same, the tune, a bit different
surf the web on your phone, head down, brother
everyone's the same but different, money

you know divides the right way from the wrong
only you think you're in the right, you're bent
under a paddle and over a knee

children, children, chuck it away, honey
honey child, once so mild, war makes you hard
over and over, on the train, you find
order in complete disorder, a shard
slices the skin, blood flows, you turn a blind
eye, none of your business, you choose to flee