Islands

=14th st. station 1 and 9 line=

people float along
like sediment in rivers
the debris collects

drag queens dressed sharp
their clothes much nicer than mine
beg for my change

=L Train Ave 1=

hay seed rocking out
twanging the southern rhythms
for suits and stiffs

=L train to 8th Ave=

the subway car's full
of sweaty stinking people
packed in like fish

scratching and sniffing
they?ve all got somewhere to go
those L train hipsters

high heels pointy toes
stumble down the isle way
lacking any grace

=14 st. on the ACE=

the uptown hustlers
wheeling dealing and stealing
pinch all the pennies

=E train to Harlem=

ragged bag lady
sequins in her oily hair
knows the difference

somewhere on the way
a fever took hold of me
and its all changed

at some point I knew
but then all of a sudden
I wasn?t so sure

self doubt is real
while it won?t keep you happy
it will keep you safe

the car was empty
except for two homeless men
sleeping and stinking

the tracks disappear
as they stretch out forever
into the darkness

the dog is hidden
buried in the woman's purse
but we hear the moans

on one twenty fifth
I am painfully aware
that I?m the white man