street smarts before streets

i swept the floors then 

sat down to read
checked my phone 

got a glass of water 

did the dishes

body against land
land against water
the slightest change in pace
direction or 

composition

they were out there

always

looking for the weak one
side-eyed
running desperate 

within a herd

survival depended on
having street
smarts before

and after
streets

#katyamills