these streets are tired…
girls pace from corner to corner…
boys in blue roll-by…
midnight strolls…

i watch from above…
kids on stolen bicycles…
chains on trees droop to cement ground…
mom’s worry…dad’s gone…

spray-painted gang signs…
crowns and numbers…
letters of warning…
stay away…stay away…

and dime bags are sold…
nickel bags bought…
the cost of business…
over 100 dead in a month…push baby push…

these streets are tired…
girls pace from corner to corner…
boys in blue roll-by…
midnight strolls…