A clear sign of gentrification
in our neighborhood
was when Lenin
moved across the street

He had been on our roof
since the fall
of the soviet union.
We used to have great
sunset parties
by his feet

When our building was sold
to a real estate developer,
the old owner took Lenin with him

Now he stands on a roof
on Norfolk street
still keeping a check on
Wall Street

You can see him if you stand on
Houston and look south

We are very few of the old tenants left
and we no longer have
Lenin-sunset parties
on our roof