A Church on Every Block

A church on every block
I cry.
Why?

Blood stained pavement
left behind by young souls.
Down on her knees,
momma hollers
beating the demon senseless.

Spray painted walls
evidence of a failing community.
The future wonders in circles
while daddy hides his face.

Roaches and rats invited
to a family reunion
quickly marking territory
like original gangstas
while babies play.

Needles and guns
needles and guns
the game of the 90s.
So long to Chutes and Ladders
so long to Connect Four.

And grandma, cousin
sister, and brother
are wrapping in swaddling
clothing lying in God's manager,
yet we still cry...
we still cry.

A church on every block.
A church on every block.

Why?