Inner-city Hugs

“Momma, can I have a…”

“I’m running late

Maybe tonight.”

“Daddy can we go to…”

“Maybe when I come visit this week-end.”

Daily door shut

Daily silence

“Charlie, can I hold you tight?”

Woof  Woof, Woof Woof

How goes it?

So goes it

Video games before lunch

Stick ball around three

Cartoons run into supper

Bologna and spam on mayo spread toast

Little Wonder Bread meatballs for Charlie

Flip on the cop shows…solitary

The day behind me

Clocks tick

Faucets drip

Toilet keeps running

Fire escape beep hole adventures

NR rated neighborhood stories

Red lights come on

Spoke-wheels glitter through their turf

Dudes sportin’ funny fur coats on hot summer nights

Ice pick heels clickin’ city-slave songs

Beer bottle hail storms

Shard-sparkling drifts in gutter’s once flowing

Just another day

Just another night

Grandma saunters in

Complains of 3-flight routine

“Bannister’s loose,” she says

“Careful, or gonna break your butt one day,” I says

“You makin’ fun,” she says

“No, grandma. Just thinkin’ sad thoughts.”

“C’mer, child,” she says.  “You okay?”

Grandma’s eyes are palm trees and sunsets

Tree huts and swimmin’ holes

Wooded trails with Charlie a-runnin’

Love without rules

Love without boundaries

“Can I have a hug, Grandma?