by Cesar Love
They were the secret places
You’d go there with friends
Maybe a meadow, a tree,
A basement, a cabin
No one knew where they were
Only you
And your small band of friends
You called them hideouts
You called them forts
Now where are those friends?
Their last names are forgotten
Where are those places?
You could have found them without a map
You could have found them with your eyes closed
Now you keep your eyes open
Especially at night
Find a dry square on the sidewalk
Keep it as neat as you can.
Don’t let anyone else near it
Be ready to move
If the policeman returns
