Jack the Ripper's reign of terror took place in a small section of East London in1888. Among his victims were Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly.

Hell’s abyss – crowded labyrinth of despair:
          four pence can purchase desire,
          while night’s magic changes dosshouses into mansions,
          transforms an aging harlot into a goddess.

Her simple joy, a bonnet, stands witness -
          ribbons stained scarlet.

… Polly

Gin and ale – elixirs for weary lives.
          Dreams diminish, fail,
          vanishing into crime’s refuge.

Coins of corruption offer no protection
          as ideals die on illusion’s blade
          and darkness descends on a fair complexion.

… Annie

Foreigners seeking asylum,
          received but unwanted.

She walks the stone maze,
          footfalls echoing lost hopes,
          as night’s chill air swells to a hungry wind,
          black velvet draping her like a shroud.

… Lizzie

Death’s face leers,
          no longer hidden by the makeup of a whore.

An apron,
          ripped and tainted with malice,
          lies below engraved words of ambiguity.

… Catherine

Brutality builds,
          disfiguring the landscape,
          self-perpetuating.

Fear consumes,
          and even youth finds no escape.

Sanctuary yields to terror –
          flesh is carved out,
          a heartless corpse remains,
          and evil sinks into obscurity.

… Mary

Murderer!