When I close my eyes I can see
The town I grew up in as it was
Main Street paved with red brick
People smiling and window shopping


When I close my eyes I can see
Flint, as nice a city as one could want
Trolley cars on tracks, dime stores, grocers,
Candy and ice cream parlors, churches


When I close my eyes I can see
The hopped-up cars that cruised downtown
Between Kewpee's and the northend A & W,
The Capitol and Palace Theatres


When I close my eyes I can see
my growing up years in a town I loved
Sidewalks full of people saying "hello"
Christmas displays in Smith Bridgeman's windows


But my eyes are open and I see
Boarded up buildings and empty sidewalks
Papers blowing across the church lawns
Bricks missing from the once smooth street


My eyes are open and I see
Gangs on street corners and flashing bar lights
Police cars cruising the streets downtown
Homeless sleeping in doorways


Now, I close my eyes
so I can see....yesterday