On The Stroll ~~ anna hood

Let me paint you the scene:
The moon a frozen amber pendant
street lamps a gauze
of night fog.
The light on the corner blinks.
Nailed onto a retaining wall
a sign - 4X8 splintered plywood
blares its crimson message:
Jesus Saves!! Find him NOW!!
Across the bottom inticate
and beautifully drawn
in lime and grape dayglo
a clue to Jesus' parentage,
what he does to his mama
the posse he runs with
the size of his privates
small - is XXed out
then the correction in black
LARGE - Very Very Large.

On the stroll
on dark greasy pavement
safe in the armour
of her terrible beauty
Scarlet (her mother calls
her Jane, her neighbours call
her Ho) stuts in loose knots
with others of her kind
as they ply their trade at 64th and 10th.
Six Johns a night, eight if she's lucky
and quick, keeps her head
above water.

Cars cruise, bass throbbing
like a vein, window eyes tugging
the short vinyl skirt
the fake fur jacket.
Her sixteen year old hips
sway ripe. Good teeth
show in her smile.
Legs like a runner.
A gold Camaro stops. 'Hey Baby.'
Scarlet Jane says,
'You lookin for some fun?'
Her hair a halo of mist
her lips a ruby blur
as painted fingertips cross
her heart.