From the Poetry collection "Compared to What"

© 1997 by Gracie C. McKeever

strut the streets
prowl the rails
daily
crotch-grabbing hoods
boastin'
non-existent conquests
trash-talkin' coquettes
turn up
pregnant before their
Sweet 16
cursing and mouthing
like street corner
hookers and pimps
worry about
passing through
metal detectors instead of
passing r's and sat's
worship at the altar
of the Dog Pound
listening to messiahs
"ice cube" "snoop dog"
"ez" and high-as-kite
prophets called "meth"
one dawn on your
way to the j-o-b
a spontaneous
bright smile and mickey
mouse "hi"
a preschooler untouched by
horny pedophiles
phony politicos
promising them a better tomorrow
i smile too
for no other reason but
it feels good
too
struck by the chronic
innocence of
youth

(Previously published in Street News 1997)