Adam Davis

A Night on 5th Ave.


Wide awake on my back and staring at the ceiling,
I philosophize about the human race.
Then suddenly an overpowering craving,
A night on 5th Ave is all I need.
 
I jump out of bed and toss on my coat
Fling on my shoes and bolt out the door.
My destination in sight, my senses float.
Yes, a night on 5th Ave will be all I need.
 
This adventure will surely answer my questions.
You never know what will happen on this street;
The perfect place for raw human emotions.
Oh, a night on 5th Ave is what everyone needs.
 
A man heads towards an alley as dark as him
To meet up with his closest friends.
 
Returning from work for the last time, the groggy man
Asks himself why he chose this meaningless path of life.
 
The sweaty executioner knocks one back as he prepares
For the grim business that is driving him mad.
 
The inmate kneels down and prays to God for forgiveness
From his sins. This time he means it.
 
The abused child looks dreamily out the window at the soaring
Birds and wonders why he can’t fly with them.
 
In the distance, a person raises his gun and points it straight at the cops.
Death streaks out his fingers and into the trigger.
 
A disheveled woman sits on the concrete curb, begging for a
Small piece of bread for her dying daughter: she is ignored.
 
These horrible things happening right before my eyes.
I can smell the shit that covers these people.
I hear all that happens and I can’t help but cry.
Man, a night on 5th Ave is Hell on Earth.
 
I approach the woman and place twenty bucks on her clothes’ pile.
“God bless your soul,” she chokes between sobs.
Her starving daughter flashes me a broad, loving smile.
Their night on 5th Ave just got slightly better.
 
Seeing her face made me feel a bit better.
There may still be hope for our bitter species.
The world is a mess, like eggs in batter.
My night on 5th Ave is not done yet.
 
Music flows from the bassist’s fingers as he makes a
Heavenly melody for everyone to enjoy.
 
The child’s red lips smile with joy as he receives
The action figure he has wanted for so long.
 
The focused singer warms up her voice in the club.
Tonight will determine the rest of her life.
 
The poet relaxes in his real leather easy chair and
Drifts off to sleep with comforting thoughts.
 
The contented tramp lies himself down in a patch of tulips;
In the garden, at peace with the world.
 
After 10 years, she was released from the hospital and returns
To living life the way she wanted.
 
The baker adds sugar to the mix and lets out a bellowing
Laugh, thinking of all the children he will please.
 
My pain begins to release itself.
These people are like the sugar that was added to the baker’s confection.
I stare down the devil himself.
A night on 5th Ave is the perfect place to be anytime.
 
I guess the world has its ups and downs,
Nothing can ever be perfect.
Love, hate, peace, war, smiles, and frowns.
Do the best you can with your time on 5th Ave.
 
I come back home and shuffle into bed,
Lie on my back and stare up at the ceiling.
I can’t fall asleep, is there more to be said?
Sounds like another night on 5th Ave.


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