The streets of St Louis have changed this past year
Since I used to walk them, vicariously sharing
The life’s I was no part of, didn’t belong in
I used to walk and watch the varied ethnic scenarios
Proud of this neighborhood that coexisted so well
The children used to run and play on the sidewalk
Now they are behind fences, watched carefully by
Parents who seemed to have learned something
About danger in the past year that I didn’t notice
Just last summer, maybe it’s the war, maybe its just life
I work in a mixed neighborhood that used to be full
Of life and camaraderie, but now everyone looks
Suspiciously at their neighbor, afraid and letting that
Fear translate to hate and bigotry, if not blatantly
At least in the hooded looks and hurried transactions
In and out of stores without exchanging a friendly word
It makes me feel bad, this was my area to invade regularly
I would walk and glance in windows, seeing the life
Behind the scenes and feeling a little better knowing it was there
I feel as if I have lost something, my peeping tom days may be over
Its no fun to look in at people who are lurking there
Looking back at me as if I were the enemy