Her Name Is Streets

By AG

Why the old cry when the young die?
And when the young die
A newborn opens their eyes for the first time

Crime is programmed
To the mind of the young boy who is searching for love and shelter
Streets, she’s always the quickest helper

What you need money, drugs, violence?
Stop being silent
I love you, young boy

Streets whispers, “I’ve made people rich
I’ve made people poor
I’m that love you can’t ignore

Also I have 3 best friends named
Prison, Overdose, and Death
I’m going to be here for you when no one’s left

I’m Streets, the woman who softly caresses your chest
I grow no flowers, I’m concrete
A hard downfall for whoever falls on me
In case you don’t know my name is Streets.”

9 Comments

  1. Kayelynn on April 15, 2020 at 9:18 AM

    AG,

    Hard hitting and great prose. Your poem perfectly captures the struggle who turns to the streets to fill a void in their lives. You acknowledge the allure of it all and also highlight what also follows if people give in. You’re a great writer!

  2. Hayley on April 15, 2020 at 3:14 PM

    Hi AG,

    This poem is really powerful. I was drawn to it because of its title and think you do a great job outlining the pain and love that occurs on the streets; the jeopardy that can occur from being on the streets. I never considered the streets as a sense of comfort, but this poem makes me think that they can be. The line “I’m going to be here for you when no one’s left” is very true and poignant. I also really like the comparison of the streets to a woman; one who teaches you lessons, can be there for you to lay down on, and can help you survive. I encourage you to write more about your experience with the streets and your relationship with them– it made for a wonderful poem.

  3. IS on April 23, 2020 at 4:59 PM

    AG, your poem was such a great read and truly spoke on the horrid nature of the “streets”. My favorite aspect of your poem was the personification you used when depicting the streets. While reading, the streets became a character, a malicious one, and you illustrated it perfectly. It is an extremely deep poem that discusses the heartbreaking reality for so many young men and women who find themselves “trapped” even while trying to hard to escape. Such a sad, yet beautiful poem, thank you.

  4. Elijah on May 7, 2020 at 5:12 PM

    You’ve painted a beautifully harsh image with your words. I feel it coming from within, straight to paper. I hope you continue to write.

  5. Kiara on May 15, 2020 at 9:17 PM

    Speechless. Amazing poem. This poem speaks volumes.

  6. beth on November 21, 2020 at 1:46 PM

    AG,
    I really liked this poem. The personification of Streets speaks to how alluring drugs. money and violence are to young people looking for a means to survive. It also speaks to how, despite the reprive that Streets may give, it is a trap which can lead young people to prison, overdose and death which could have been avoided if there had been better infrastructure and support systems for youths at risk.

  7. Ayzhiana Basallo on April 25, 2021 at 11:57 PM

    Wow. This one is so powerful! I love how you explain that streets is just all the bad that causes one to be where they are. The power that it has and the things it makes us do. It has all the good and all the bad at the same time. But the good is temporary while the bas outlasts a life time.

  8. Grace Denno on May 3, 2021 at 11:54 PM

    I am a student in a community service course at Wayne State in Detroit whose goal is to engage with the community beyond the university. When I discovered Free Minds I was immediately thrilled to see the connections build around your writings and heart, and what you have to offer is a powerful and beautiful gift to the community. It was a true privilege getting the opportunity to read what is on your heart and mind, your desires and passions, thoughts, and struggles. You have so much to say, so much wisdom to give, and such deep experiences and desires to share with the community that people from all walks of life, backgrounds, beliefs, and ages can deeply connect with and affiliate with. Keep engaging with the community and making your voice heard. You bring healing, hope, and renewal of mind to many who have the privilege to share in your poetry. You have such writing power and conviction in your poem. I can hear your voice and personality almost seeping through the seams of this art work. There are layers upon layers of meaning and personification in this paper, and I hear your voice of your experiences and life coming through in the background.

  9. Andrew F on April 21, 2022 at 9:40 PM

    Great poem – the personification of Streets as a mistress pulled me in. If you took another shot at this, I’d ask you – If the Streets was a woman, what would she look like? What would she wear? How would she walk? How would she talk? Full on personification could really make it interesting, and more challenging for you to write.

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