One False Step

Through chaos pressed,
unnamed and strange, they
twist and wind through fate's
dark mess—one false
step past hope’s sweet range
leaves their breath in futile
duress.

Each fearful eye meets fearful
eye, in city's crowded space,
where wordless dread binds old
and young in poverty's
contempt.

Subway money claims its toll
from cheap labor migrants—the
nightly shame of children
barely fed. Meager wages forsake
their promises, left empty or
unsaid.

Night's peace they once held
sacred true till even their long
sought dreams withdrew.