Dark Corners

Its’ Amazing what you can get away with in the dark. I thought to myself as my reed and white converses hit the trashy pavement of the alley way I carefully listened to the rushing “clops” of my shoes. I ran past all sorts of buildings including electronics stores, corner stores, and the infamous Lexington Market. Drifting into deep memories like the taste of the food, the look of the place and the all out atmosphere of the place. My thoughts proceeded to the dreadful day when my parents where killed just outside Lexington and how I told them I’ll check the parking meter. I cried as distant memories filled my head , memories of pain and lost, hope and dread, It seemed when that bullet killed my parents , with it went my hopes and dreams.

I started to run again toward my destination, The Street was like my heart at that moment, dark, sad, and silent, my mind was in the state of meditation when the deep gruff voice shattered my moment of tranquility.

“Niggers always causing trouble round’ ere”

“Excuse me” I turned back in anger facing the old man and his horrific breath, “but who the hell are you calling a nigger, Old man, hm, who”

“I said niggers always causing trouble round ere” he glared at me,” and I’s wasz talking to you, youngin”

I was filled with anger, I felt like hitting that old man, and I mean hitting that old man so hard his metal plate would fall out of his head.

“WELL you know what old man; you look like a Negro your self “I commented. I stared at his clothing

He was wearing dingy crème jeans a holey red shirt that exposed his potbelly, and this distasteful purple pimp like hat.

“You need to go to that corner store there and get some real clothes”

“like I’s wasz sayin you damn teenagers always runnin from the law watch do this time kill someone, rob the bank, no let me guess raped someone, damn teenagers makin the term African-American bad”

“Stay out of this old man you don’t understand me understand me”,

“ don’t tell what I understand you Nigger, I understands this you’s a Nigger and you’ll always be a nigger , there is no running form that truth , there will always be someone looking down at you “cause you’ll black”

“ I seem to calm down a bit after he said that.

“ Ain’t that the truth, man ain’t that the truth, but like I was saying I’m not running for anything , I’m looking for something , something far above what anybody can give, im just looking for myself

“ yeah that’s what I said when I was in that house right there” he lifted his hand slowly his wrinkled hands reminded me of a balled up piece of notebook paper, his finger shaking, possibly out of nervousness, “