West Side of Town

3 December 2004
Corpus Christi, Texas

I drove down Leopard Street,
A different side of town,
Past many auto stalls,

With the reputation,—
Rough and tumble at night;
Bars, taverns—“Girls, Girls, Girls.”

Fights over turf and chicks;
The cops use double gloves,
Arresting prostitutes.

¿This staves off HIV?
But now’s daylight run-down,
Not pretty—sad façade,

All to find a clinic,
For urinalysis,
Requirement for a job,

¡I’m a civilian!