MEN IN BLUE

Opposite me sitting in the Wall Street Café                           

Two men wearing crisp, blue New York City police uniforms,

Chests covered in brilliant badges and awards,

Hats and walkie-talkies strewn on their table

Paying devoted attention to their smart phones,

Playing games, Men at War or Urban Combat,

Comparing their virtual victories,

Not paying noticeable attention to the patrons

When a pair of rogues walked in and
Looked the place over

From the cash register in front

To the exit sign on the back wall.

Their eyes stopped roving

When they reached the men

In crisp blue uniforms.

They turned to each other

And without speaking, left

Through the door they had come in.

After five minutes, the officers finished

Their games, bought coffee to go

And having done their duty, 

Departed through the same door.