KIDS

had already
slashed
the tires
on a
blue chevy
nova
& were beginning
to scratch
their initials
in the car
door w/nails
when the
kid wearing
a black
leather jacket
decorated
w/chains saw
me passing
& stood
up to ask for
a cigaret
as soon as i
slipped him
a buck he
clicked his
switchblade &
i reached
into my coat
the he smiled
& sd
think it’ll
rain

Poem taken from Planet Detroit, Spring 1985, edited by Kurt Nimmo.