Hideout

chasing not enough
those highway stunts
taped from helicopters
and broadcast all
afternoon to moms standing
by doors going
to get their kids
but hesitating, watching CNN,
maybe being late at elementary school
because the race-track-mentality
holds them to the tube
like NASCAR too exciting now
to leave
to get in their Ford Expeditions
and navigate the five blocks
to wait in line till the bell rings
and the kinder kids come out
the doorways first, still smelling
like fingerpaint
NO--
can't leave yet, now four or
is it five copters are circling and the bad
guys are leaping over fences
NO--
can't leave yet, the po---leece
have drawn their guns and shoot
OHMYGOD--
the moms must leave, not
knowing till tomorrow
who got shot
and who didn't
or if the bad guys made
it to their hideout.