old woman sad yellowing hair
walks her frail colorless husband shakily 'round the block
discussing a new insurance policy
new and improved that is
for to her only money makes sense
little children play in the street
bruised knees, laughing eyes
careful not to swear within earshot
of the uptight adults who tend to
have meaningless conversations
discussing all the shit
nobody really cares about
and little johnny sits angelicly on the curb
emptiness in his eyes
no one knows the darkness of his secrets
the sadness of his cries
lily white extreme right fear ridden people
drive by in the best japanese
smiling, waving, working on that look good
anything to please
barbecues by the neighborhood pool
women in sundresses and pastel hats
that would make anyone look like a fool
meanwhile, the men talk sports, politics
as their bellies hang over their belts
showing each other pictures
of the children they don't even know
Back to The Poetry of James Meany
