The city is carnivorous.

It guzzles rain
and swallows pedestrians and tourists,
stacked like grains of rice,
until it gets its fill of us.

The drip of unknown wet,
superfluous.
With roads slick like the backside
of a hippopotamus,

we cross each lubricated surface,
both rank and dangerous,
not knowing which alleyway will off us.

Windshield wipers rip the skin,
but we move past them with a purpose,
even if in the end
it means a heavy loss.

©2025|K.F.Hartless


Cover Art: Nicholas-Di-Genova

black midi “bmbmbm”

5 responses to “The City is Carnivorous”

  1. Bob Avatar

    That’s a heck of a city. Be safe out there!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Bob. It’s my first rainy season here. Let’s see if I can keep my my soles dry (I have doubts).

      Liked by 1 person

  2. The imagery and the fierceness of the weather shines through.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Nicole. Rainy season seemed so innocuous before it was experienced head on. It’s no joke. I don’t think my bones will ever feel dry again.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. It sounds like I should be glad I live in a small, rural town!

    Liked by 1 person

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