The beat of the street fades
with another casualty to the monolithic syphon
continuing to devour the very soul
Relegated with all the imperfect characters
words that rattled through broken, coffee-stained teeth,
to chase off kids with mock menace
and timorous taunt
sometimes reflective apprehension
persevering despite decay’s demand for dissolution.
Falling bricks of the Laikon
make room for another skyway 
to lift more feet off the street
to join the relic memory with Cyprus, International,
Hellas and all the coffee shops.
Stella’s come-on, appropriated for profit:  
The promise of a rancid, toothless kiss
replaced by the promise of riches;
the hit of a baton, by a hit to your wallet.