Where Do The Children Play?

Behind the houses
on our street
there’s a narrow strip
of concrete.

The padlocked gates
at either end
ensure it’s safe
so parents send

their kids outside
to play in the sunshine.
They can’t wander off
and no one can get in.

There’s no
broken glass,
no discarded syringes,
no plastic bags, no paedos.

They ride bikes
up and down.
Pretend they’re driving a bus
through town.

They play football
and use the gates as goals.
When they score
a gate rattles.

Behind the houses
on our street
there’s a narrow strip
of concrete.