Under The Bridge Poem by Ray Lucero

He walks through dark woods in quiet of night,
As bats and barn owls launch into flight

Crickets and frogs beginning to prattle,
Swarming mosquito’s prepare for battle

Night sounds humming a haunting refrain,
Clouds above darken, begins a soft rain

He zips up his jacket, turns up torn collar,
Curses Goodwill jacket that cost but a dollar

A trickle of water runs down his bare neck,
Shuddering, chilled…'My life’s such a wreck'

No money, prospects, no one that cares,
Walks unfriendly streets, ignoring cold stares

How long has it been since he left home, fled?
10 years have gone by without a real bed

Raging Step-Father hurt him in more ways than one,
Treated more like a dog than respected Step-Son

“Some day he'll answer for sins against me, ”
“Excuses won’t help, there will be no place to flee'

Shuddering again, he treads toward the bridge,
A short distance ahead just over a ridge

At long last he’s made it to safety again,
“My shelter, my haven, my best friend”

He gathers dry kindling, gropes for a match,
Patiently waits for a small flame to catch

Campfire roaring, wet clothes will soon dry,
Twists off wine screw-top, it’s time to get high

ROTMS