teen sitting

teen sitting
six
children

one at a time
they tiptoe
to the living room
where I sit
writing a novel

I write,
some kid's
laughter
sounds like
a stifled cry

I'm a sleeping
cheetah
they can't disturb
as they dash
to grab a
backpack

and run
back to the room
a new door
slamming

I just follow
them with my eyes
All I want
to say is
if you're smoking
weed
it could be bad for me,
my job

blue bottle
old pumpkins
do you need an adult
at the pool

"Mackenzie is
18"

Is that the best
you have?

I understand now
how the bad
intentions get ascribed
to teenagers
because otherwise
you can't believe
they could be
that boring