in the lights of the city along the waterfront
reflecting across the bay serene and calm
it may seem all is peacefully at bed
until I see from here the flash of guns

and hear in the echoed sky a retort
of  someone dying alone
on a corner in a fight
so unnecessary

sights and sounds abound
from my perspective
not sure of their origins
or directions

until I see reporters films
and introspectives
on the nightly  news
at 4 and 5

and then I recall how peaceful it all is
watching from across the water
from here drawing my conclusions
and being wise

when I am not there seeing it in person
just a ******
jumping
to conclusions