kingston october 1980

the sound of gunfire on the empty street
it comes from miles away and yet you quake
it's been too quiet if you'd made a mistake
the answer and the shock could both be fleet
but right here right now there's no one to greet
all sensible folk the public ways forsake
if they fear a stray shot their lives might take
and they can't trust as single soul they meet
what happens is they venture out a while
and see that everyone's coccooned at home
while isolate police cars roam the roads
i found this out i walked alone many a mile
and i seemed the only one who chose to roam
while others squatted fearful grim as toads