Life, Never Simple

School is out for the day in
the living-assisted, rent-adjusted
neighbourhood and the teens
in various shades of dark complexions
glorious in their lithe and lively
beauty, giggle, holding up garments
for display in the thrift shop
aware yet unaware that they
present as a ravishing force of 
nature, the world their promise.
Nearby sits a coeval, plump and
homely, hair neatly braided
unlike the others' amazing cornrows.
Sliding over her lap, a petulant child
whom she lovingly prods to a
smile, a spark of humour. An
elderly woman, observing the pair
thinks how nice it is to see a
young girl minding her little brother.
All too often things are never
quite what they appear. One of the
thrift shop clerks calls out genially
'he's not a happy boy today'
as the girl who is no longer merely
a girl, rocks the boy, too big for
her lap, but a beautiful child,
as he emits a continual low-pitched
grunt of helpless irritation.