This Town VIII (I Can't Remember)

dawn breaks

in time for dusk,

pulls a scab back,

reveals the rawness

of flesh exposed

beneath pot-holed

streets,

each drop of oil

leaves its mark,

ready to burn,

while smog creeps

in, settles to rest

at the feet of ancient

streets covered

with tar and dust,

grass gives rise

to an orange haze

that makes its way

into the bloodstream,

colours the sky

a sickly shade of red

this town

can't remember

and neither

can I