Erika Koenig-Workman

Facing the adults


They were smoking cigarettes

Which are bad for you


Smoking in the dining room

Where food is for the family


Smoking in the kitchenette

Of our Woodbine apartment


I wasn’t yet ten

You offered me one


Cribbage players smoke while

Counting their points with pegs


What’s the matter with adults

Why are they always bored


The chicken on the rotisserie

Is ready for eating


I was wondering

Where the garden resides


Our backyard alley

Is paved and hot


With tar and concrete

There I was looking for life


Drinks poured out always

Loud music erupting


Into my quiet space

Interrupted by adults


Facing the adults

They mean and ugly


I was wondering

Where can we play


I want to get away

From the rotisserie


It feels dangerous

It feeds us dinner


Ashtrays are full

Glasses are dirty


Nothing is clean

In the kitchen


Facing the adults

Is frightening


Please let me

Sleep safely


Not counting

Raised voices