Fire Escapes

They hang from older buildings
To provide a way to flee
From a fire or another type
Of grim catastrophe.

“West Side Story’s” hero, Tony,
(Just like Romeo) did vouch
To Maria all his love
While on one’s surface she did crouch.

Countless films and TV dramas
Often use one as a base
For a criminal to exit
While the cops are giving chase.

In real life, I’ve never seen one
Used to hasten a descent.
Modern buildings now use stairways
Made of fire-proof cement.

Though necessity requires
Things to change, it seems a pity
That these structures soon will vanish,
Once a staple of the city.