we throw out our bodies on the fire and we die   settle into ashes as the flames keep piling high    we tossed and spread the kerosene and alcohol   the ethylene ignited cardboard homes      the second in a hundred and again as many years    street signs, skyscrapers and names    state street, what a great street    when the places and the people stayed the same       winter beats the summer on the worst ones    i fall in love again on the first ones    carbon vapor lines burn as a grid    like the burning summer evenings    like my fingertips did   like the burning summer evenings    like my fingertips did      this town is choking on our filth    obstinate displays of wealth    clog our lincoln, wicker, rogers parks    here's to your health chicago    fiddle as we burn    nevermore, nevertheless    build it up and tear it down and never learn