The Brandon Johnson Express ~ Wednesday, January 28, 2026

« Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate »

They say, everyone is in the same boat
how all living beings on this planet
embark on the way, and, in their own way
yes, in outer space does this life raft float

survival on the blue marble is hard
at times, pointless, even if you can get
yes, laid from time to time, people, they say

each day, ride CTA without a clue
visions of rough sleepers in the train yard
each day, the mayor is no greater than
reality dictates, in this motel
yes, half-naked homeless bums use the can
only, with no toilets, how train cars smell
no one makes a fuss, while eyes look askew
each day, the Red Line is The Inferno

inside, Virgil and Dante sit and read
surrounded by poverty in this hell

inside, two shades read about Salerno
nine circles from Ninety-Fifth to Howard

two shades, undead, take the train, serve and lead
how they appear unbothered by the smell
each day, I see dead people ride the train

suck it up, never let on, you, coward
as if Giuliana De Sio saw
me make a face, get up to leave the car
each day, Operation Avalanche, jaw

bone of an ass, the mayor, doors ajar
open for all the world to see, the drain
after "Monty" of Alamein, all hope
that enters, abandoned, the scent of dope