forever their normal

I was outside
because it was 8:09 pm
and the sun was
still shining
and a mother
went by with
her four small children
and I overheard
her say,
"He is locked up
and won't be
comin' home.
Repeat after me:
he is locked up
and won't be comin'
home."
and the children
sang in unison,
"He is locked up
and won't ever be
comin' home."
and they skipped,
and jumped,
and twirled
about.

And this is forever
their normal.