Life lies along the curb

Art by Hans Emmanuel Fabroa

By Hans Emmanuel Fabroa

If living means walking along the curb

Then I'll let myself fall off onto the ground

Where moving cars pass at full throttle,

Escaping from the beams of light

Projected by the sun and their light bulbs

Since they have a lot to lose

Except for their faith in the road

If living means walking along the curb

Then I'll let myself fall off onto the ground

Leaving me with dirt-bruised hands,

And carbon-smoked cigarettes from the beggars

Begging for alms and mercy on the streets

Since they have nothing to lose

Except for their faith in the sidewalk

If living means walking along the curb

Then I'll let myself fall off onto the ground

So I— again, crawl to stand up

Avoiding the passing cars and beggars

Not because of the fear of getting hurt,

But the guilt of being a slave from both

As soon as I get up, I fall off onto the ground