Children laughing and playing,
Birds singing merrily in the trees.
A happy couple walks hand in hand through the park.
A dog jumps through the air in pursuit of his bright red ball.
Mothers and Fathers stand out on their porches to call their children in
for dinner.
A blue car cruises cautiously past,
Mindfull of the small children at play.
The policemen standing on the corner there only to settle disputes about lost dogs.
The only time the firetruck races down the street is when the neighborhood cat gets stuck in a tree.
People borrow a cup of sugar from thier neighbors,
Then actually give some in return.
All the lawns freshly mowed and watered.
All the leaves recently raked.
Everyone is happy.
No blaring police sirens
Or the loud crack and pop of gun fire.
All this just beyond my grasp.
All this just beyond the white picket fence