Migration Patterns by Libel

A great pale shadow casts down on the east
And though it may seem crazy
No-mans-land has turned up-and-coming
For the bourgeoisie

The neighbors stare as we unpack the vans
Like pilgrims arriving on the promised land
New playground for the young and moneyed
Quick enough, we multiply like bunnies
The neighborhood has its blemishes, yes
How many crackhouses is anyone’s guess
The occasional gunshot is a fright
And forget about walking alone at night

But when our friends ask us, “Is it so bad?”
We’ll say, “No, you’ll be glad
When you join us out here”

Raze the tenements to make space
For luxury condos
Indistinguishable and gray
Stacked high with loft windows

Discount stores on every block
Replaced by yoga studios and cheese shops
Boutiques far as the eye can see
AmEx stamped over WIC
Rents rise up at a ludicrous pace
As brokers and bloggers scream: “This is the place!”
Landlords budget for renovations
Evicting tenets with no reservations

And our hearts go out to those displaced
It’s a disgrace
You don’t know how bad we feel
But it’s all right, it’s all right –
This hipster mecca
Is temporary at best
‘Cause soon enough we’ll get priced out
Or just simply bored
Like every time before

Pack it up, pack it up now
Move on down the line