[Newspoetry] corner story

[nicolle neulist]

corner story

the northbound #8 bus rolled up to the intersection of maxwell
     and halsted
and for just as long as it took for the driver to avoid a moving
     violation at that stop sign
anyone on the bus
could catch a glimpse
of a neighbourhood sadly losing its fight for its life
to the bulldozers

the only sign of life
is jim's original hot dog stand
visible through the front left window
the gem that anyone who's anyone from maxwell street
always refers to with such affection
where one or two regulars
currently stand in line
chat with the man behind the counter
and maybe buy a mid-afternoon snack

any other window only frames
dust
stony rubble
crumbling brick walls
and chain-link fences

no sign of the blues that this place made famous
no sign of the blues that made this place famous
only a sign a block or two north
twist-tied to a chain-link fence:
                    conserve
                 maxwell street
                  34 buildings
                    priceless



                     --nicky neulist