Poverty stalked the land

Exile walked the cracked streets

And ghosts haunted the alleyways 

Fear hid low in the gutters

Slunk down close to the dusty ground 

Lowered it's head in trembling shame

Sorrow whispered it's keening song

Rustled over the city square

Stirred up plumes of golden dust 

Turned the air a rusted haze 

Pain writhed along the shadows 

Swirled under the lonely tree 

Standing skeletal in the blistered wind

Branches crooked 

Empty hands grasping

Bristling with curving blackened thorns 

Stubborn against a vengeful world

Disease darkened the scorching sun

Hovered over the dwindling wells

The water ever sinking, sinking

Desperation painted the walls a vibrant red

Suffering crouched among the straw huts 

Misery rapped on the door

Rustled the reed mats

Rattled the paper windows

Death fluttered overhead

Silken feathers like a carrion crows 

Hunger's eye watched them all