Sidewalk Stories and Other Poems

By Jeremy Ritch

Sidewalk Stories is a book of poems I wrote over a 15 year period while living in the cities of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Harrisburg PA. These stories are based on my relationships, adventures and thoughts about living in these great American cities. They are raw and uninhibited, which to me that is what living is about, it’s not always pretty but it is always real. To me the poems are a look into my experiences of urban living over the years. It also paints a picture of my personal views about poverty, social justice, and community within the concrete jungles of our country. This book means a great deal to me because the poems are very personal in that I lived out each one as either a participant or a close observer. I also hope they connect with those who have a passion for the issues I address as well as the vibe of city life that is portrayed throughout the book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Autumn Colour eBooks
• Release date: Aug 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781625175144

Jeremy Ritch

Jeremy Ritch is a writer, a poet and a storyteller who writes about his pain, experiences and observations of the world around him. He is very committed to issues of social justice, and being a voice of encouragement to those in search of it. There was never a time when Jeremy fit into a mold or tried to do the “normal” thing. His passion is to connect with his audience in a very real way with his honest writing style.

Book preview

Life

Sidewalk Story #1 (Urban Choas)

Concrete and pavement

Placed in a terrific arrangement

Where old men walk with canes

Carrying years of voices and pains

Taxis run wild

As poverty destroys a child

Under bridges finds doom

Lonely in a vacant room

God’s hand pats the back of the oppressed

Making some of the forgotten feel blessed

Though morning deals out more bad hands

Broken and battered, the ghetto still stands

To hustle those you live around

Keeping your heart underground

Sometimes it takes the worst of things

To find just what the future brings

Praying to saints you hold so tight

Looking for direction without any sight

Oppression bleeds from city walls

And children play where bodies fall

In alleyways full of disease

Another person tonight will freeze

Because of economic struggle and political power

Such urban chaos will soon devour

The neighborhoods that once stood proud

Left beneath a pessimistic shroud

Where hate is drawn in black and white

Where everyone fears the city night

Is this something we created?

Or just a natural process generated?

Will it be the end of all we know?

Or perhaps in this dessert something will grow?

Let’s Get To Work

I break from this world of