The kids sat in the park
by the river after dark.

The water sparkled with the lights
from rooms across the stream.

Someone rolled a joint to share
with everyone in the circle.

The smoke drifted across the grass
where nobody else was sitting.

With each inhaling the embers burned,
a little spot of light.

They fell silent, felt the chill
of the early spring night.

They shared no words, but smiles
passed from hand to hand.

For moments, for hours, they heard
their breathing and the breeze.

When someone then began to hum,
they all joined the tune.

Without a word, they stood up
and began the long walk home.

(Andrew Shields, #111words, 7 March 2026)