Recognizing the Enemy
The kids
in the
park today
are a
little older
than usual
seven or
eight &
they’re not
interested
in the
slide &
the
jungle gym.
They’ve got
sticks &
small fallen
branches
& they’re
milling around
whacking things
& taking
jabs at
each other.
One boy
just pointed
his stick
at me
where I
sit in
my van.
The other
kids gathered
round him.
Now they’re
heading
my way.