The guys and I were only fifteen
exploring boundaries,
testing limits
tired of being caged
by our age
we would roam the streets
smoke cigarettes
catch a buzz
on weed & wine.

A pack of feral youth
on the prowl
searching for something
anything
to relieve the boredom
of a hemmed-in life
on a ‘nothing to do’ Saturday night.

We waited on the corner
to cross the intersection.
The traffic light changed
& the click-click
of car door locks
acknowledged our crossing.

Was it our dress
our demeanor
our numbers
or our youth
that filled them with dread?

It didn’t matter.
We just smiled
as we passed
savoring the power
of intimidation.