A Night In The Hood (Original)

Another night without sleep, thoughts racing through my mind, forehead steeped in glistening drops of perspiration. Peering through my window in the darkness, feeling the cool night air seep under the window sill. Noticing the streets below, the hussel and bussel of the night hawks, as they scatter about aimlessly. Ahh raindrops falling casting artistic images about the windowpane, creating an enormous cluster of delightful shapes and designs. Wreck-less thoughts came alive as I picked up a pair of blue gene pants, a red T shirt, my top hat and old running shoes, dressed for the streets, a quick look in the mirror and off I went. At the bottom of the stairs, sat old Mr. Green. Umbrella overhead, raindrops splattering on top, puddles at the bottoms of his feet as he sat brazenly in his work attire. Wearing sunglasses, a tattered plaid shirt, a ripped straw hat and an old tin can held in his palm. As always I made my usual donation. Happy as can be, he nodded his head with a smile on his face and I skipped away, hands in my pockets, taking a stroll down the avenue. Ladies of the night, fake hair and boobs, out in droves, short leather mini skirts, stiletto heels, drenched see thru tops, lace underwear and garter belts, I smiled to myself and gave them a hey ya-all. I heard a bold voice say, hey Eddie wanna have a good time, smiling and nodding my head in apprehension, I continued down the avenue. The flavor of the raindrops as they danced upon my face was an intermingling of scents, the cars and buses, and above ground trains, ahh let's not forget the passers by, drag queens picturesque, men in pink suits with hats so fine, all blend together for a taste of city wine. I felt the warmth of the fired up drum with the rubby dubs warming their hands and drinking brew, staring at me with sunken eyes, weathered skin and large noses, they had seen better days, but you know, they really just wanted to be left alone and that's exactly what I did. I noticed a couple of undesirables up ahead causing a commotion, no turning back now I thought. What do we have here, hey man, what you doin round here, you move on outta here now hear, you got any money, I replied no man, I'm as broke as you, I was gonna ask you for some and he laughed with that drunken slurr, I thought to myself, hmmm harmless, they âre just drunks. I saw a busker singing his heart out hoping for a few dollars and I threw my dollar in the hat, up a ways was a tapper just tap dancing to the beat of the streets. The clanging of the manhole covers trampled by cars had their own sound, listen..... ta ta ta dute deh. Ta ta ta dute..ta ta ta dute deh now clap your hands to the beat ta ta ta dute deh clap clap, and his arms moving to the beat as he smiled with those beautiful pearly whites, there ain nothin like the blues of the street with a tapper in sync. he danced for his audience. Again I left my donation in his container and his smile grew larger as he pumped his step up a notch. I moved on and noticed a brother standing against the lamp post, he seemed as if he was glued to that post, I walked slowly taking in the view. Why he held on to that post as if it was his girlfriend and in slow motion he bent forward, slowly, gracefully, while his left arm conducted an orchestra, this guy was so high he continued to lean forward then started to rise up again holding tightly onto the post with his right arm and conducting his orchestra with his left. I had to watch, why I ain ever seen anything quite so graceful in all my years. Oh well, nothing I can do for this guy he's gone. although very sad, I found some humor in it. What can you do that's life on the avenue. Well I think I've had enough of the nights scenery, going home. On my way back nothing changed everything remain the same. Buddy was still trying to find his way up that lamp post in slow motion, the tapper was still tapping and the ladies were looking worse than before. Mr. Green was having a snooze as I quietly walked up the steps. Walked in my room checked the time and off to bed. I thought to myself, every time I can't sleep I'll take a walk down the avenue and be truly grateful for this warm bed I have here. I rolled on my side pulled the covers up over my head and closed my eyes, while listening to the raindrops beat against my windowpane. soothing, peaceful sound. Just another night in the hood. Written by: Melvna Germain Date: Oct.21,2008