Children walk home from school, but not all their homes are the same. |
One by one we walk down the lane Jane and John turn left at the corner Scamper past the white picket fence and leap into the open arms of their parents One by one we walk down the lane Mary and Beth turn left at the corner Flop onto the freshly mowed lawn and laugh as their parents scoop them up One by one we walk down the lane My brother and I turn right at the corner After a block the pavement ends We stick to the side of the road Even though his shoes are getting muddy I make my brother walk on the dirt side It's safer The wind picks up My frizzy hair two days unwashed Flusters behind me My brother clutches my arm He still thinks the wind can carry him away I used to think that but it never did My feet firmly planted on the road I lead my brother home The wind resists, pushing us back Warning us away But where else have we to go? I hear shouting before we enter the alley My brother flinches but I lead him on wailing cursing mocking smashing I feel him quiver against me We skip the splintering step the door stretches above me tall and ominous and uninviting |