1960s small town talk:

"Saw the Henrick kids today,
Walking home from school.
Rag tag bunch, the lot of 'em."

"*****, all of 'em. Crying shame."

"Del came home and asked why
the oldest girl has scabs all up her arm."

"I guess her old man is up to his
drunken tricks again. Looked like
cigarette burns, you ask me."

"What will ever come of that?"

"I don't know, Mother.
Please pass those spuds around again.
Your gravy is excellent tonight."

I kept my head down,
thinking about what I'd heard.