cops

you get nervous
around cops.
it's not that you
are breaking the law,
or even thinking
of anything illegal,
but they just
make you itchy
with their guns
and hats, those
badges and big
belts full of
gizmos. always talking
in cop speak
with their
no ma'ams and yes
sirs. saying words
like the perpetrator,
that's a ten four.
your stomach jumps
when you see those
party lights go on
behind you. red and
blue, that crazy
siren. that megaphone
bossing everyone
around. cops.
pfft. where are they
when you need em?