we can catch them

the cop
looks ready for war when
he arrives
in his unmarked car
with his dna kit.
his gun, his badge,
his vest.
his other gun.
his radio
crackling.
did you leave your
car unlocked? he asks.
it locks on its own,
I tell him.
he comes into the house
and sits down.
his holster is in the way.
I look at his polished boots,
his baton.
he's matter of fact
about it all.
but nice and compassionate.
he tells me about
the time his car was stolen.
it doesn't make me feel
any better.
we can catch them, he
says. don't worry.
we catch them all the time.