Fallen Leaves

A man recently got beaten up in New York. People from Virginia assume that kind of thing happens all the time. People in Virginia get beaten up all the time. Sometimes it's a white guy beating up a white guy. Sometimes its a black guy beating up a black guy, sometimes it's a black girl beating up a white guy, or any combination of people. Most of the time, these people suffer penalties for their crimes. A weekend in jail, a fine. Depending on the circumstances.

A gay man recently got beaten up
in Queens, New York.
Beaten and hospitalized
days after Congress passed new "hate crime"
legislation.
Now, it's more illegal to beat up a gay person.
It's more illegal to beat up someone
because of who they are.

His lungs are collapsed
plate in his jaw, ribs broken
but stable. Two young men
on one old man.
Attack in the parking lot.

On a lighter note, Kenny Rogers and Wyclef Jean did a song together. How was I not aware of this?

Lots of free time. It's fall break. Nothing but work and hanging out in the cool weather. Watching the leaves change in an idyllic neighborhood. Telling myself I'm going to go for a run later, then never do. Walking is better anyway. Walking to the bar, kicking fallen leaves off the sidewalk.