you don’t understand
i’ve always been running
from the streetlights,
sidewalks knees skinned
the 7/11 open next door
the hum of cars
wrapped around my hips
we’ve got company
hey, no one’s alone tonight
it’s like voices on the radio
the stars might be
hard to see, polluted from
factory, but the neighbours'
lights are on: i can see
the sway of laughter in the
dim windows, little girl
screams as the firecracker
goes “pop” i’m not afraid
to run to the bus stop,
buy pizza for 99 ¢,
everything
is at my fingertips, the city
never sleeps, never
sleeps, i never want to
sleep
why are you
trying
to take me away?
why are you
making me rest?