covered in graffiti
with no meaning
splashes of color
initialed hearts
of couples
that no longer exist
some call it art
most
look at it
in a sketchy way

what happened
to this once upon palace
where people gathered
in gaiety
it had a history
of family
it was a place
called home

deserted
when
why
what became
of them
now
most shy from this place
this space
left
to the ravages of time

this was the place to be seen
now it’s a place to fear
rodents
robbers
& drug dealers
are all that inhabit here

don’t drive down that street
stay far far away
time has not treated it well
looks better in black & white
not quite as frightening
not quite as forbearing

if only to turn back time
maybe an answer
to the reason why