The New Place

In the new place They loved you Don’t be fooled They loved her too The bank lady gave you gifts The grocer brought you oranges Perfect strangers kissed your lips Your children basked in the sunlight They did not warn you The spring rain had acid They had muzzled the dogs A green snake trolled your yard You did not know The prayers at the temple The black cat at the crossing Those were for you When tomorrow you wake up Avoid the gator at your gate Slip pass the curious baboon Gather your shoes and run