Burlap to Cashmere (and back again)

When they break things down
that should be unbroken, like life,
to each their own
pursuit of happiness of a dream,
or even just to eke out survival...

When they fake living, match hell on earth
with pounding fists, bruises and broken
bones I never expected to see...

When still others spew violent premonition
with skinhead tags written on wall
meant for healing, now instead a recruitment
poster for gang membership...

When a jealous woman turns psychotic,
turns vandal, stalking, threats on machine,
unsigned letters and face-to-face confrontations...

I don't want to read about
the end of another friendship
in the papers.