the opera next store

something is going on

outside.

i hear the neighbors

arguing in the yard,

someone's crying.

plates are being

thrown,

curses are made.

vows of revenge 

are proclaimed and

doors are slammed.

there's the shattering

of broken glass,

there's twisted arms

and blackened eyes.

but i don't budge

to go look out the window.

i grew up with this

kind of thing.

i know how it begins

and i know how it ends.