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Welcome to Poetic Licence – a weekly poetry forum, hosted by us, 
featuring words by local poets. This week? Lauren Martin McCraw.
Blood Alley
The shadow gives chase
from Carroll toÌý
Abbott to
the last stop hotel
where we sleep
three to a room,
eat from the same pot
and
overhear the smaller
complications ofÌý
tender staff.
Waiting for someone
on the big list
to die, making
their room spare.
We want for quiet
nights whenÌý
Club 23 closes early,Ìý
theÌý
boom boom boom
of their bass system
gone from our ears,
the only drumming
left is our cry
for peace;
a prayer forÌý
shelter, love
andÌý restitution.
Lauren Martin McCraw is a writer, performer and new mom. This poem was previously shortlisted for Room Magazine's 2015 Poetry Contest.
To submit your poetry to Poetic Licence, email [email protected] with Poetry Column in the subject line. Only those selected for the column will be contacted.
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