The poem below is a found text poem created using several newspaper articles and an interview with a local Chicagoan. In the wake of issues surrounding gun violence in schools, attention also needs to be drawn to gun violence in neighborhoods and the effect that it has on individuals living in those areas and surrounding areas as well.
Chicago is one of the most segregated cities in America. It’s unfortunate that most of the crimes happen in neighborhoods you could draw circles around.
Until you can’t.
Earlier, a man was shot in a playground
inside the Dearborn Homes housing development
on the South Side
Officers searched the playground equipment
to see if any bullets remained
lodged in the plastic.
They found one stuck in the roof of a slide
and another in a pole holding up the playset.
It was lucky no children were outside playing at the time.
In May, a boy was shot dead. This was November.
If you’re on the Red Line going South and you hit numbers, just get off the train.
A shooting downtown on a Red Line train
marked the beginning of
a violent eight-hour period.
A man was shot. A woman was shot.
The death toll was high.
A basketball cap and a cellphone were left lying on the sidewalk
next to drops of blood.
A woman said she was doing laundry
and heard about eight gunshots.
The only reason you get on the Orange Line is to go to Midway. Generally, just stay off the Green Line. The Green Line goes places you probably don’t want to go.
Another man was shot dead.
He died of multiple gunshot wounds
on Thursday,
police said.
The attack set off a panic.
Other shootings in the following hours (a bulleted list)
Another man was shot dead
During open-fire on the Dan Ryan Expressway
Two cars were driving erratically
when shots were fired late Thursday afternoon
A woman and child were injured
His death was pronounced a homicide
He had three gunshot wounds.
Don’t go South of the Museum Campus and don’t go West of Western. (It used to be don’t go West of Ashland, then it was don’t go West of Damen, now it’s don’t go West of Western).
Another man was shot.
Officers found him after responding to a call.
He is now in serious condition.
Three more people were shot
near West Garfield Park
in a possible drive-by shooting.
Another man was shot
walking on South Rockwell street
when he heard gunfire
and realized he was hit.
Another was shot
And another
And another
And another
Three ambulances left in succession.
