Raindogblue

Status

To dispatch, status has nothing to do with prestige or rank, 
but rather an officer's availability to take calls.

The Blessing of Football

On Mondays,
when the game
is being played,
the air dies 
and the mopes
go away.

Taser: Blue

Taser: Purple

Handful of Worms

It's late.
I'm prowling the North Village.

I spot a man with a flash light
standing in a front yard.

He squats, picks up something,
takes a step, scans the grass,
squats and picks up another thing.

I roll up.

Whatcha doin'?

He raises his arm, 
reveals a handful of worms.

"I'm lookin' for nightcrawlers.
I'm goin' fishin' in mornin'."

I nod.

Good Luck.

It's already morning.

Stealing Sleep

I worked until two,
woke up at eight,
and walked into court by nine.

I waited to testify until one
only to be excuse for lunch until two.

At half past one, the hearing
was postponed until next week. 

The shift starts at four.
I can steal an hour of sleep
before the day starts again.

A Lesson in Race

I'm covering Grumpy. 
He's asking the questions
The Mope keeps talking to me.
I'm silent. I don't speak.

Grumpy growls,

"This is my call.
This is my district.
You speak to me,
not to the white officer."

He jabs a finger at me.

"You speak to the black officer.
You speak to me.
Do you understand?"

The Mope pales,
looks up at Grumpy.

"Yes, sir!"

Grumpy stares into him.

"Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good."

 

Fast Figure Eights

In the West Village Park,
at night, inches above the pond, 
small bats fly fast figure eights
catching what bugs they can.

Black and Blue

Red and Rain