street games by Stephanie Hauer

"car!"
and every child moves to the side--
that is the rule
of playing in the street.
these kids part in the middle,
two on either side.
a black sedan passes between them.

when i was growing up, i played
baseball with my neighbors,
first and third base marked by
a broken paving stone on the sidewalk.
second base was the lane line.
my biggest fear was breaking a window.

“shotgun!”
the yell reclaims my attention.
these kids are not fighting over
the front passenger seat.
they’re playing shoot ‘em up,
their “bangs” echoing off buildings.

“double knife!”
they are screaming
"double machete!"
slashing at each other's necks
with flat, empty hands.

they’re playing in the parking lot
stepping on weeds in the cracked pavement
and crumbs of broken glass.
​
as i watch their games,
i wonder what these young
eyes have seen.

​Stephanie Hauer

works as a contracted staff writer at Rehumanize International.  She contributed to the fourth edition of the Catholic Youth Bible from Saint Mary’s Press, and has published articles with Array of Hope, To Write Love on Her Arms, and Celebrate Life magazine.  Her poetry is featured in Young Ravens Literary Review, Pinnacle Anthology and Create | Encounter.  When she’s not muttering at a manuscript, Stephanie is usually sipping an iced chai tea latté or fussing over her succulents.