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Excerpt
From Dirty
Boulevard
By Tony
Fitzpatrick
Introduction
by Lou Read
New York City, 3/97
Synergy
A
friend of mine is a 12 step addict, no doubt the least harmful addiction
he could find. While this has made him very set and didactic in his ways
it has also given him a perspective and informed view of addict mores.
For instance you don't see any old ones. Old red ridged and bulbous nosed
drunks yes. Skinny shiny eyed vein popping shooters, no.
Now, Chuck Berry said when he wrote he tried to think of what would appeal
to the most number of people who would buy his songs. That's why he says
he didn't write about cocaine users. They were such a minority old Chuck
wouldn't have made a yen off of them. So we leave Mr. Berry rooted forever
if we care to what would have happened had he spread his horizons. Why
doesn't he do it this afternoon.
Tony Fitzpatrick writes and paints about bothersome subjects. He is serious
about them. You'd have to be a deaf blind retarded mute to have missed
the ugliness and debasing dehumanizing constructs perpetrated daily in
any urban center today. Crimes against humanity.
Some of us have nightmares of violence, real or imagined, and we express
it in various ways. We carry guns, learn to use knives, manipulate others
to do our bidding or are so big in the first place that WE have to keep
close guard and rein on the mad bouncing blood we call home. Tony's a
big guy but I think it's more important to keep an eye and ear on his
heart. He's bringing a message from a point of view of someone equipped
and prepared to navigate the jungle. But he's also chosen to express it
through his work.
I was watching Tony with his five year old kid, teaching him to box. The
kid was ferocious . I remember thinking I hope Tony teaches him the other
side of the equation or else he could be a potential bully. Unless he
gets killed first...I completed the thought.
Tony is a humanist. He completes the thought.
Images
from Dirty Boulevard
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The
Dead Boy
by Tony Fitzpatrick
Nigel McKinney was born
on and died on a Sunday.
He shorted his friend on some crack profits.
His friend "Rock" shot him twice and killed him.
Nigel McKinney was 11 years old – and death followed him
every day.
The next time you read about "The War on Drugs"
remember to hug your kids and carry them home.
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The
Girl Drug
by Tony Fitzpatrick
The
Girl drug shows her dirty stuff – tight and low.
She drips down the back of your throat – acrid and bitter.
Her tears made of stone.
She waits for the mind-Murdered to call her out and dance with
her.
Cocaine is their prettiest wife.
She kills them slowly – eating their heads first.
She kills them with a smile.
She poisons their hearts and they love her still.
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