it was a friday night
and there was dancing in the streets
four whole city blocks
cordoned off by the police
a live band playing on each one
half the city joining hands
and dancing the night away
showing the world
just how easy it really is
september two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
in wellington heights they say
leaders come and leaders go
some saying martin luther king
was born generations before
or after his time
january leads to february
streets warming to better ideas
parents and cops weary of getting past
valentine’s day without any
gunfire or stabbings
weeks later rumor has it
jesus christ consults with malcolm little
and chris columbus
dispelling myths about the
course of human history and
organizing neighborhood watches
they talked about having a parade
come summer solstice
off-duty officers shadowing children
gathered at curbside
collecting wrapped candy
thrown by yankee doodle himself
october two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
could we press rewind and go
back to houston
back to the space city by the bay
where the districts are alive
like tattooed hearts on sleeves
where glorious voices frequent the
grandest of operas
and the trendiest of restaurants
(lined along historically diverse streets)
place no restrictions on who may sit where
july two thousand fifteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
when the terrorists moved in down the
street the other week
I worried nonstop for the safety of my children
and my two thousand twelve chevrolet
since moving in they’d been stockpiling
weapons in the two-car garage
when I called the police
they said there was nothing they could do
they’re living here legally
they said
and they’ve purchased the necessary
ammunition stamps
pausing with phone in hand
I stood looking out the bay window
watched the registered sex offender
(across the street and two doors down)
jump in his sports car and race away
my hands by my side I could barely hear the
officer on the other end repeatedly asking
hello hello hello
august two thousand fourteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 