it gets darker for the winter
dashed sunday walker
to the children the nasty
little people on the street
asking you the time
their clockwork brains
in the waterworks working
out where the electricity works
as you loom into view
like a gate crasher
where they block your way
question your right to existance
& their right to take it away
but not as orphans their
picadilly gang war grin
teeth & claws as they dare you
come over & tell them
to tell their folks they spoke
with the king of cats
as you strut one foot back
in the track & beg the shadow
reach between you &
the little people the nasty
dangerous aggressive silly
little people peeping out their drains
like rats because time's a thief
& you dont mind wasting a thief.

* After hip hop composers
Gift of Tongues