Walking around Omaha Nebraska over the psat year or so, I have passed this lonely abandoned street on many occcasions and have never stopped to take some photographs of this barren and forgotted element of the city in which I reside.

I made a point one day to have my camera handy and went in the direction of 27th and St Mary's avenue.

As I took photo after photo walking slowly down the brick laden 27th street, I noticed each structure was empty, void of any sign of any life.

I imagined what this street looked like in it's day...citizens on the steps, children playing, people coming and going.

Then came the change, slow but sure...the loss of jobs, hard economic times, perhaps some substance abuse...police calls...brutality by those charged with protecting and serving..Lives changed, attitudes affected...hope repressed.

There are many such streets and places in Omaha Nebraska, and even more abandoned apartment buildings, standing silent for some unknown reason(s) to me..

Hard to pay the rent when there is no money...choices made..pay rent or fead yourself and your family...
Hard choices, difficult choices..
Life should not be like this for the wage earner in this land of opportunity and such great wealth.

Streets like this and like buildings are rising up everywqhere..right next to streets that have life...

So many homeless and so many vacant un occupied places to live...abandoned by the people and the city..

The times they are a changin...
looks like for the worse..

I hope I am wrong...
but until the jobs come back to our country...there will be those who are forced out into the cruel unforgiving world..made to live on the street, under overpasses, at relatives or friends...in alleyways..

Shouldnt be like this in a country once so rich...and full of promise..

27th Street and St Mary's Avenue
Sunday 8 July 2012
Omaha Nebraska