Trying to Be Alright

As I walk my street to unwind
I play old movies in my mind
I find myself waving at neighbors left behind
A hardscrabble family trying to get it right
Teenagers smoking out of streetlight
A neighborhood pushing through with all our might
trying to be alright

As I stroll this street I feel resigned
The movie is set to slowly rewind,
couples walking, arms intertwined
babies born
a grandma mourned
college students, housewives, drunks, and businessmen
A family forced to start again
trying to be alright

I was born on this street long ago
born to parents who didn’t know
They had the best intentions although
their mistakes I’ve worked hard to let go
trying to be alright

My own kids were born in this same place
growing up at a breakneck pace
Bike stunts, tire squeals, hide and seek, chase
we added two unique people to the human race
trying to be alright

And now my granddaughter plays on the sidewalk
new babies take over and become all the talk
And I am one of the grandmas of the block
Strolling the street and taking stock
trying to be alright