Falling Shadows

In the falling shadows of autumn’s reds and yellows, Children dance across concrete sidewalks, Laughing in and out of the bright, white street lights of Eighth Street. Screen doors slam at nine, dogs yap, yapping in the backyard As rustling leaves blow from manicured and watered green lawn to green lawn the full, white moon shines down, down across town dusty yard to dusty yard The rustling leaves blow, scratch at the earth, Screen doors slam, sirens sound, mothers’ screaming, Screaming in and out of the darkness of broken, yellow street lights, Children dance across concrete sidewalks, In the falling shadows of autumn’s reds and yellows.