Cracks in sidewalks. Weeds growing through. Abandoned buildings. Old brownstones in need of repair. A cobblestone street. Cars parked with multiple tickets on windshields. A bodega on the corner owned by Al and Sal. Halal meats and rice on a hot table. Cop cars cruise by.

Kids play soccer on a side street. Spanglish is spoken. Broken English. Grandmother’s lookout windows. They watched their sons grow up here on this street. Nothing has changed.

An empty ballpark. Teenagers are making out in dugouts. At night junkies leave pipes and needles behind. Teens smoking a joint and blowing smoke up into the cool autumn air. Leaves will be brown soon.

Homeless men and women stand outside a shelter with cigarettes dangling from their lips. Some are looking to score. Others trade in food stamps. Women make offers. All are trying to survive.