Hide-and-Seek

Haven’t found anyone

From the old gang.

They must be still in hiding,

Holding their breaths

And trying not to laugh.

Our street is down on its luck,

Its windows broken here and there

Where on summer nights

We heard couples arguing,

Or saw them dancing to the radio.

The redhead we were

All madly in love with,

Who sat on her fire escape

Smoking late into the night,

Must be in hiding too.

The skinny boy

On crutches

Who always carried a book,

May not have

Gotten very far.

Darkness comes early

This time of year

Making it hard

To recognize familiar faces

Among those of strangers.