the late afternoon party

there's a late afternoon

party

in progress

two doors down.

i look out the window

and see

the young couples.

colorful

balloons are strung up

across the yard.

there are paper plates

and cups.

the men are quiet,

and bored,

stirring the charcoal

with cans of beer in hand,

while the women are

laughing,

having fun without

them,

the children, restless,

are crawling

on the ground.