little boys playing ball
on the basketball court
running through solid grounds
shooting jump shots off the glass backboards
looking
searching for the manhood in their father's faces
seeking the resemblance
finding full length mirrors on street corners rolling dice
their father will watch when you least expected
with all black
hoodie, sweats, tims, and skullies
pulled over rows of braids
they claim to love like quiet storms
their actions is noisier than rumble of thunder
their smiles make sudden, abrupt appearances
and the women
wow
the women who have them, keeping their secrets
tucked deeply behind their whispers