Facing the adults

They were smoking cigarettes

Which are bad for you

Smoking in the dining room

Where food is for the family

Smoking in the kitchenette

Of our Woodbine apartment

I wasn’t yet ten

You offered me one

Cribbage players smoke while

Counting their points with pegs

What’s the matter with adults

Why are they always bored

The chicken on the rotisserie

Is ready for eating

I was wondering

Where the garden resides

Our backyard alley

Is paved and hot

With tar and concrete

There I was looking for life

Drinks poured out always

Loud music erupting

Into my quiet space

Interrupted by adults

Facing the adults

They mean and ugly

I was wondering

Where can we play

I want to get away

From the rotisserie

It feels dangerous

It feeds us dinner

Ashtrays are full

Glasses are dirty

Nothing is clean

In the kitchen

Facing the adults

Is frightening

Please let me

Sleep safely

Not counting

Raised voices