In my neighborhood

the pit pat pit

of tiny dog feet echo

Loud

into the  

Silence

Slashed

by the loud heartbeat

of club music and

the screeching words  

of empty drunken

Nobodies

Occasional appearances include

squeaking shopping cart wheels

clacking cans

And moans from the hungry and homeless

the mansions are inhabited

by the wealthy

distinguishable by

their dog-child

and the malicious glare

on their cold                                                                         suspicious faces

given to parents

when children

reach down

to touch them

All the while teens hide

under the slides

to make love

Using all the  

wrong ingredients  

cooking up responsibilities

they can not handle

and preteens conquer the swings

while taken their first puff of

Loud

Interrupting popping

Gunshot or fireworks?

Followed quickly by  Silence.