so peaceful
sitting on the balcony
the occasional gull
my only companions
and the sound
of children laughing
at play
in the backyards
below
children at play
Saturday morning in spring
I watch
from my balcony
the world
go by
in the joy
of a father
and his son
two women
holding babies
the laughter
of children
at play
and wonder
of the price
one pays
to miss
participation
in that world