the neighborhood watchers

i see the neighborhood

gaggle

of geese,

the condo board,

coming up the street with

their pitchforks

and

torches,

walking as one, as ducks

often

do,

making quacking noises,

and small

fowl like peeps.

pointing

at peeling paint and dead

bushes.

cars without stickers,

trash set

out early.

quickly

i close the door and fall

back into the darkness

of the hall.

i never know when they

might be coming

for me.