Reparations

The lids are kept on tight – the pool has no drownings
I know the police – they keep the kids from clowning

I know my neighbors and the neighbors know me
I feed their doggies they have my house key

I had a thought then I fought it
I had a thought then I forgot it

I am reparations
I am nothing at all

I am insignificant
I am ten feet tall

I had a thought then I forgot it
I had a thought then I fought it

I am the mayor and the mayor knows me
I talk to the babies they know where I’ll be

People keep the lights on – the alleys are pristine
I am the stranger here – the trees are crystal clean