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"Rio"

by Katy Kilner.

He stands tall,
Over the city he loves,
So beautiful and corrupt,
Rio spread below him.
Little houses, sparkling white,
In the burning sun's light.
Red blood marks the road.
Leo died today.
They said it was the only way he'd pay.
Sun sets behind the lush green mountain.
He was nineteen years old,
When they shot him dead, dead on the road.
He couldn't pay so his life was sold.
Slum houses hidden by green leaves.
Slum houses tourists never see.
Sunshine, beaches, beautiful views,
Not the not so beautiful truth.
But now we need to open our eyes,
See behind corruption and lies.
Maybe one day the world will change.
But for people in the Rio slums,
Tomorrow may not be another day.