look both ways before crossing

i remember

my mother and father telling

me,

don't play

in the street, look both

ways

before crossing, and when

you hear a siren,

pull over

and let the police or

ambulance

pass.

have respect for them

and the job

they're doing.

be a good citizen

and obey.

cars are bigger than you

and can

run you over

like a pancake.

i remember thinking about

what a pancake

looks like

on my plate, a pad of butter

and maple

syrup

pouring off.

and now i'm hungry.