Just North of Ordinary
-after Natasha Trethewey's "Witness"
Here is Ferguson—
its local restaurants and churches,
train depot and Central Elementary
stationed above the main road;
its century homes lined
adjacent to each other, catch people's eyes
on rough, paved sidewalks;
its unique stores owned by city residents
and the frozen custard shop—all show
different life perspectives,
a hopeful community,
filled with an assortment of backgrounds;
natives visit its small downtown market—
an array of fresh produce vendors
and families, happily
proclaiming: Ferguson, Missouri is
just north of ordinary!