STARK NIGHTS

The city settles to a reluctant calm.
As darkness descends they gather beneath the lamplight, a swirling murmur
Faint at first, increasing in volume as their numbers swell.
These ghosts, disembodied voices rapidly forming a demented choir of shrill intensity;
Over and over their lyrics roll
Singing tales of treachery and murder
Of dark deeds done, of each and every lowlife evil trick.
Anger, frustration, rage; every dark emotion boils and spills its simmering poison.
Then, caught on a swift wind they’re ripped from the streets
Torn through brick and dragged through the acrid stench of spilled garbage.
Then, silence.