Our old apartment was cleanly with maple wood floors
and a host of expensive furniture that was wood too.
Our windows were small or skinny, but there was plenty of light
that came in through the balcony, where I liked to sit and smoke.
The little home had both a patio and balcony for us.
I would drink vanilla coffee or eat chocolate to keep my mouth sweet
while I read on the patio and watched the neighbors and dogs as I smoked.
The streets were thin and manicured with newly painted curbs,
they squeezed between the sidewalks that were drawn along the tall homes
where bark and teen trees sprouted against metal poles.
There was a park across the street and next to it, a high school, and next to that, an elementary.
Sometimes, at the park, there would be these crazy dance battles between large groups. they would wear baggy sweats and high-tops and holler,
moving to the jumps in the stereo.
I liked it there at night, when only the basketball court was lit. I would sit on a bench with some other watchers and I remember thinking it was sad they didn't get more recognition for this.
