Graffiti

Subways, taxis and trains are New York's tourists

Their windows noticing graffiti on concrete walls

Bricks are jigsaw puzzles scattered with spray paint

The art of "Taggers" seem thoughtless to eyes of the city

 abstract letters pass these hazel eyes at a fast tempo

leaving behind a growing wonder about graffiti ed names

"Misunderstood." they screamed dying to be heard.

Only the ghosts of the artists lost soul seemed to listen.

Eyes studied hard at the offense that dared be called art

listening for a whisper that shows stories of shattered pasts.

painted lines were drawn as directions on maps to the artists heart

modern day hieroglyphics from people with ancient and worn souls,

wishing to make a mark in the world

I guess we all try and find a way to be heard.

2 million people breathe the air of New York

day by day it passes through their lungs in rhythm 

No one could hear it's music over the heavy traffic

Yet someone in it's maze of crowds creates art

And is heard.

 

The Street Performers create graffiti with instruments

The New York Times graffiti with ink on fragile paper.

Models and Stars graffiti with pixels on Times Square

Tourists graffiti with footprints they leave as they tour 

The chefs of local cafes graffiti with rich sauces and taste

The business men graffiti with graphs and stock shares

Doctors graffiti with stitches in the lives they save

Soldiers graffiti with gunfire that rings with freedom

writers graffiti with their veins they pour into words

Yet these taggers all have something in common

Heartbeats and lungs that wonder what to live for

New york is a city easy to lose oneself in

between the narrow streets and skyscrapers.

But the city is small compared to this big world

It's no wonder we graffiti our names into it

At this moment 7,284,331,343 names are signed on birth certificates

a contract vowing "To Live." beyond what our lungs can expand.

Photos we take, hearts we give, hearts we break, and words we write

These are graffitied on every surface of what makes us human

Hoping one day someone with searching eyes will notice our artwork

Wanting to know the story behind the paint on our walls that are put up

to know of the heartbreak and the way the artist's heart beats and feels

To understand the "Misunderstood" soul behind the abstract shapes

I guess its about finding someone who appreciates art

That's when we know we've been heard.

To taggers everywhere, keep signing your name

You deserve to be heard.