Reflections of a Hopscotcher

we walk home after the day's activities

skirting the broken rubble that litters the cracked pavement

debris of broken adults

and their broken dreams

my little daughter ignores the decrepit surroundings

bombed structures, shattered glass and abandoned vehicles

playing hopscotch

along the way

splashing in the puddles

she nimbly tosses her pebble against the chalked sidewalk

kangaroos uni-legged

one, two, three

to her destination

small children are not given to reflections

learning to take much in stride

the daily monotony of life

amidst horrors, joys

and random bombs

part of the fabric of life, death

more concerned with warm bellies

loving parents, families and friends

small happy dogs licking their faces

giggling late at night under the covers

until they grow up

or reality, policians and slogans intrudes

Note: Originally published Mar 2007 by The Amistad, Howard Univ.