Made of Murder and Love
by Jessica Naples
Youngstown was made by mobs,
fiery skylines,
hard working fathers and grandfathers,
marble buildings crowned with gargoyles,
the metal cut out of Mr. Peanut
ontop the suspensions of the
green Mahoning bridge.
In Youngstown we spend our time
hiding behind rocks,
jumping over streams,
climbing the Cinderella iron link bridge,
collecting twigs, berries, memories
in Mill Creek Park.
We dream of cotton candy,
Jay’s hot dogs,
Isaly’s chocolate malts,
Idora Park,
walking the Sharon line.
We dream of when life was good
in this steel city.
We dream while musicians
slouch at Cedar’s cafe and sip
on burnt dark roast coffee
while smoking cheap cigarettes
and die
in the same rotten spot
year after year.
While children are born and bred
to be proud of this town
but are taught to leave
to see the world
and forget.
This city harbors rust,
American art,
and more
and more
memories of steel.
Youngstown is made of murder and love.
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