Flags on the Balcony

Yours next to mine

June blew in on Delancey Row
Flags where the washing used to go
Mrs. Okafor called down, "Hey!
Hold this ladder; don't walk away"
Old Andrade still hangs two
His wife's and his—a forty-year truce
She straightens his; he ties hers tight
They'll argue when the match starts tonight

When my team scored, your balcony cheered
When your team lost, my kettle appeared

Flags on the balcony, yours next to mine
Different colors, same clothesline
Fly yours high, let the whole street see—
There's room for your world next to me

Yours next to mine

Yours next to mine

Different colors, same clothesline

The final came; my team was out
You knocked: "Come on, we're one fan down"
We lost. You put more food on my plate
The table ran from gate to gate
Monday brought the bills and rain
Your youngest called me by my name

When my team scored, your balcony cheered
When your team lost, my kettle appeared

Flags on the balcony, yours next to mine
Different colors, same clothesline
Fly yours high, let the whole street see—
There's room for your world next to me

New girl moved to number nine
A folded flag, a length of twine
She asked, "Can I hang mine up here?"
I held the ladder: "Anywhere"

Flags on the balcony, yours next to mine
Different colors, same clothesline
Fly yours high, let the whole street see—
There's room for your world next to me

Flags on the balcony—

Flags on the balcony, yours next to mine

Two more pegs on the line

Flags on the balcony—