A Bit Beyond The Stereo

It was night and she and I were walking
through the neighborhood,
hiding from our friends,
out somewhere searching for us
to tag us out and finally win the game.

We wore glowing bands
around our necks,
my brother handed everyone,
as a way to say he gave us supervision.
It only really made us
look like angels with their halos
in disarray like we had forgotten
there were wings behind us
trailing feathers back
for anyone to follow.

I wanted to tell her why I always
invited her to walk with me,
between the darkest trees
around the block
where they would have to wait
for us to make a mess of things.
Like a porch light turning on
because our shadows crossed
too close to where they activate.

I was about to finally say it
when they found us
in the open on the empty street
still far away from where we would
be safe, and so we separated
desperately while we were chased
back toward my driveway
where the fire had been burning
and the music covered
every conversation.