Create Project 1 – Jan Carlo Avendano

Empty Sunset Park Roads

Morning roads are empty,
Cars speed by when the traffic isn’t hefty
I only ever looked down these roads when crossing the street,
Peering down these paths holds beauty undiscoverable from one side of the street

The town now seems lonely,
as I go down 8th Ave, an uphill trek filled with birds on rooftops, only
Flying away eventually,
They anticipate the grey clouds arriving, potentially

6th Ave almost doesn’t exist here,
Because the park cuts right through,
But stare down the park road
And you’ll see where the rest of Sunset Park flows

The wet ground sounds the alarm for another empty day
And the puddles reflect the trees, standing tall over where kids would play
As I leave this protected nature, an ice cream truck is absent
Traveling down to 5th Avenue sees no children running rampant

Walking along 5th Avenue, back towards 40th Street
Car lights can be seen all the way, and beyond 30th Street
And turning on 40th Street reveals a hill
Where memories have disappeared, and buildings seemingly ascend uphill

The day grows darker, and there isn’t even activity going on between homes
No barbeques, and no kids playing ball, is there are anyone in any of these homes
At night it’s impossible to tell, the town is falling asleep
The streets are dark and only the moon illuminates our town deep

Turn the corner of my home, “Resurrection Church” can be spotted along the way
Even this place doesn’t seem active on a Sunday
But on this Saturday night, the darkness quiets the neighborhood all around
And just like the day, there weren’t many souls to be found

Perhaps, just for today, the community has taken a break
Or some in the community have moved away for their own sake
Perhaps while people are away for work, the town becomes quieter than a mouse,
But what’s strange is there isn’t a single noise from a single house.