| Side Streets and Alleys
Little boys ran chattering through side streets and alleys resting on empty crates to tell their half-truths Little girls swung by to challenge them delving into dangerous rites and experiments we grew up wanting to spit fire challenge the power of insolent drivers love deliriously gain entry to the mysterious towers but each love was its own story each tower its own secret I ran my hand in the early light along her soft cheek re-igniting the indescribable recalling the unbearable the alleys beckoning me from side streets still employing their wonders there are things I must do places I must go up from the depths of this maze past the side streets beyond the alleyways. Gerald Zipper |