Boys play        I understand
naked              streets in every town
without a sound         go straight to hell.

Black dogs           that need to escape
running              from the sound of bells
in broken glass                 forces the heart open in every step.

White dogs         appearing between buildings and trees
chained                with women loved, men who wouldn’t wish it on their enemies
in a fire             pretending their remains, the history of their teeth,
can still be felt.

Little boys           strangers arriving at all hours
blindly            giving affection
learning house          one bruise at a time.

Who are you             after years of searching
going to tell          you made a killing out there
who hasn’t already heard            you had it coming every step of the way?