"It's like a jungle sometimes..."

Don't push me, cause I'm close to the edge
I'm trying not to loose my head
It's like a jungle, sometimes it makes me wonder
How I keep from going under
"The Message"

I was introduced to this Grandmaster Flash song by my upstairs neighbor, Malissa who is in Urban Planning. I won't put up all the lyrics, but it's worth a read over (or listen) if you are interested. Kinda sums up some of how I feel in this crazy city pinched between cultures.

Sometimes it makes me wonder...

How I can be standing on the el platform in my neighborhood and see a lady in the alley, crouched between 2 garbage cans peeing.

How I can be riding past in the heifer and see a bunch of teenage guys looking excited, covering their mouth and pointing like they are watching a fight. I realized they are watching a fight...between 3 birds! They are swooping and pecking, boxing one another out.
 
How I can be standing on the el platform downtown and a man be singing...truly belting out DIO's "Rock and Roll Children" and everyone keeps their "city face" and pretends like nothing is happening. 

How I can be standing on the corner outside the "Buy & Fly" next to 2 teens smoking cigarettes and one shouting "F---- the police" as they pass, then the cops do a u-turn and drive into oncoming traffic to park at the corner where they get out and ask the kid if he's got something to say now. They ask his age, ask for ID (which he doesn't have), cuff him and put him in the back to take him home.

How can I be crossing the street after that experience ready to bust into tears and the 7 year old neighbor girl, Nyianna runs up to give me a hug and then comes with her sisters to color on my porch for awhile.

How can I be steady listening to these sweetest girls tell me how mean the kids at school are to them for having worn out clothes.

...how I keep from going under.