On these Chicago streets
A homeless man dances- every tooth in tact; in sight
Pearly whites
Wearing a diamond-crested Rolex and Armani suit,
Leaning proud against a stop sign
On the corner of Congress and Michigan.
The L train flies
As if conducted by pigeons.
Navy Pier is maintained by
Starved seagulls
Who steal candy from children
And frighten even
The veteran carnies.
Only here
Can McDonald's be
An amusement park
And have escalators
And elevators on each side of the building.
Only here
Can the House of Blues, Chicago Theater,
And Hard Rock Café
Be on the same block.
With bootleggers
Striving thespians
Pan-handling egg shakers
And the underground
Pizza parlor mafia,
The Windy City never sleeps.
The Metro screams
Gunshots and drug deals.
On the contrary,
Colleges reign every two miles.
Only here
Can you find luminous yellow taxis
Driven by rabid monkeys
Running red lights.
Only here
Can you expect turtles to emerge from sewers
Carrying swords and daggers.
These city streets reflect
On the massive silver bean
And create an illusion of chaos
Residing in the palm of my hand.

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