violent was the well lit night
shots were fired overnight
like thunder and lightning
and then the rains fell
two point seven inches in all
young man staggers in
and out of shadows
low-beam street lamp
revealing bullet proof vest
sirens and flashing lights
blend in with nature
weaving through alleys
baby glocks and berettas
systematically revolving around
unrecycled neighborhoods
lights flicker off and on
frightened eyes peeking
through shadeless windows
chalk outlines on sidewalks
washed away before
cleaning crews ever arrive
july two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved