the thin blue line

the police are weary

this summer

as the streets boil over

with flames

and looting, 

madness.

the weight

of all they

carry, the guns and mace,

the tear gas,

the clubs

and tasers, the masks,

the helmets,

and vests.

all of it

bends their legs, soaks

them to the bone

with sweat.

they just want to go

home

to their families,

to their wives and husbands,

their loved ones,

their pets,

they want to get some rest.

but the crazy people won't

let them.

it's another summer

of perpetual discontent.