Jeremy DeWayne Greene is a school psychologist working currently at Shanghai American School (Puxi). In his spare time, he writes, records, and performs spoken word poetry around Shanghai and Sacramento (California). Though previously residing and working in Sacramento, Mr. Greene connects strongly with his familial roots firmly planted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Small Towns
It’s funny how our paths have diverged.
You always said you “hated” small towns.
“Reminds me of hard times…”
you once mentioned while
reflecting on your childhood.
Chicago was just around
the corner back then
and you would often jump at
any chance to taste
what it was like to be
a global citizen.
You spent your whole life
trying to escape small towns
only to find yourself once again
within their unsavory confines.
No longer a small-town girl
but now a small-town woman
living with an old-time guy
who fades the image of Chicago
from your eyes.
I guess it’s more safe and secure
in those small-towns
with them old-time guys.
I never found small-towns
nor old-time guys
“safe” as a man of
indigenous pigment.
And, oddly enough,
I find myself in this
vast city of Shanghai
feeling more “safe”
though less secure.
However,
though we may diverge
from one another,
I can still see
the Chicago skyline
in your eyes….
Dare to dream, Clementine. After all, we are both Big City Lovers.