Allegience

We are the front line,
brothers in a bitter war
suffering servitude
to an addictive enemy,
volunteering over
and over again

Signing on
out of desperation,
ignorance or curiosity.
Recognizing the legacy
too late for salvation.

Once recruited there is no leave
nor let-up
from the degradation
and despair.

Our trenches are alleys,
mean streets and valleys
below blasé towers,
blind eyes turned inward.

Lodged in empty lots
beneath highway over- passes,
barely surviving,
we huddle in the calm
anticipating
the next onslaught.

Our weapon
becomes the enemy
and our saviour
needy we bind and bleed
needles falling until next time
the demon calls demanding more
of our undying devotion.