Kids
by Jessie Veeder

broken kids on broken swings
kids with teeth biting kids with wings

sorry kids swinging on sorry branches
tears welled up against tired reactions
kids tied down tying other kids up
recycled kids
kids at lunch

kids catching fish off the sidewalk’s edge
kids loaded down
too big for their beds

swooping kids like fireflies
lit up  against black summer skies
naked kids running out to play
naked cause they want to be that way

instruments on children’s lips
kids with crackers shaped like fish
fingernails bit off too short
by the kids with habits and those who are bored

smelly kids with dirty feet
bathtub kids all plump and sweet
dangling kids with bad haircuts
kids that like TV too much