This alley
Is where the thief fled
After he robbed the boutique
Across the street
The owner didn’t see where he went
But noticed the
Troubled girl on the corner
Staring at her sneakers
She would grow up to be a lawyer
And a botanist
That Heineken truck almost hit her
Stepping off the curb
Stopping at the Royal Farms
(for a lighter)
This is where the lovers met
Reaching for the same scratch-off lottery ticket
They split the ten dollar winnings
On a coffee next door
And now climbing the hill
Past houses decorated for
Halloween
The old lady here
Once handed out
Nancy Drew’s until
Her whole collection was gone
And she sat back on her rocking chair
And smiled
The Catholic school on the corner
Smells like hot cider
Though no one is there
Except the ghost who
Keeps the basement dusty
Lights flash, sidewalk in strobe,
As the fire truck backs into the station
The newest fighter is
Just back from his first rescue
Still jumpy
Exhilaration
The Chief worries about
Pension plans
Plans that carry to the
Old folk’s home
At the top of the hill
Walker wars
They nod hello
Look out from benches, balconies
Across the crumbling cemetery
Punctuated by autumn leaves
And autumn dreams
The Chinese restaurant
A plot of money laundering?
Or is that at the
Launders on the next block?
A woman waits for the bus
With her newspaper
And a package fresh-wrapped
From the vintage store
Someone’s former bad date
Will be her
Winning 80’s party outfit
And it looks like the
Recycling has been picked up
Hopping the porch steps
Finally
Opening the door that has been
Opened thousands of times
At the quaint house
Nestled in
Where the girl rests on the
Couch and pulls out her
Notebook
Gets ready with her pen and
A fresh sheet
So the story can begin
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