the city hides monsters in plain sight
underneath oak trees and behind bus stops
gathered in corners of blown-together trash piles
behind the sound of distant gunshots
and crows stealing jewels
this place will eat you alive
so don’t let the smiles fool you
the hippies play guitar from
inside a mushroom haze
and good for them
but they’ll be first to go
look behind you
feel the wind change from the slice of the blade
just missing your neck
a glint of steel in blinding sunlight
the red of a wild dog’s eye
looking into you ready to charge
this place will tear you apart
given half the chance
for no other reason than
it was just your goddamn turn.