Where The Children Play

Behind the houses
on our street
there’s a narrow strip
of concrete.

The padlocked gates
at either end
ensure it’s safe
so parents send

their kids outside
to play in sunshine.
They can’t escape
and no one can get in.

There’s no
broken glass,
no discarded syringes,
no paedos.

They ride bikes
up and down.
Pretend they’re driving a bus
to town.

They play football
and use the gates as goals.
When they score
the gate rattles.

Behind the houses
on our street
there’s a narrow strip
of concrete.

Where do the children play?