Neighborhood kids
run back and forth
shouting as they reach
their destinations,
then silence.
The children scatter
as the neighborhood bully
approaches, big with
a shrill Minnie Mouse voice.
They say he sounds
like his mother
and his father left
a long time ago.
Wherever the bully appears
fun and laughter run away.
Some things never change.
Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. JC prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers. A lot. Her column appears weekly on Oddball Magazine.