When I Grow Up

I’m gonna live on a one way street

where nobody hangs in front of the building

In a cool apartment with clean elevators and a balcony

… on the other side of the Bronx

I’m gonna have black and white furniture with matching mirrors and two swivel leather chairs

Tuna and soup in the cabinet and ice cream in the fridge

… on the other side of the Bronx

I’m gonna have tailored suits and a nice car that can drive to City Island hang out spots in Harlem and plan vacations down south

… on the other side of the Bronx

I’m gonna have to leave these projects

and check on my brother

and tell my sisters what it’s like

when I visit our father in that building

with the clean elevator and the balcony

… on the other side of the Bronx

When I grow up …

July