Chicago Is Burning

Chicago Is Burning
We throw out our bodies on the fire and we die
settle into ashes as the flames keep piling high
we tossed and spread the kerosene and alcohol
the ethylene ignited cardboard homes
the second in a hundred and again as many years
street signs, skyscrapers and names
state street, what a great street
when the places and the people stayed the same
winter beats the summer on the worst ones
i fall in love again on the first ones
carbon vapor lines burn as a grid
like the burning summer evenings
like my fingertips did…
this town is choking on our filth
obstinate displays of wealth clog our lincoln
wicker, rogers parks
here's to your health chicago
fiddle as we burn
nevermore
nevertheless
build it up and tear it down and never learn