kids gone wild

A swarm of children has taken over the empty back lot of the apartment building next door. They live on the second floor and have figured out how climb down the fire escape to the grubby parcel of land below. No one is meant to go there. The landlord has it locked off, and high fences surround it. It had a neglected and lonely feeling all year, at least until the kids figured out to play in no man's land.

It's amazing how one can always count on children to act their age. This is by no means a criticism. In fact, it's a beautiful thing. Even in the middle of America's largest city, urban youth have a need to roll around and play in some dirt. Dirt is an essential part of childhood. Digging for earthworms, building mud pies, constructing mini forts from wet soil and having soft ground to somersault on are all integral parts of being a kid. All of these things rely on an empty patch of land that can take some abuse.

The neighbor's kids seem to love it down there. They scream, laugh, yell and joke around in that small dusty space. Dirt clods are flung about, boys terrorize girls with bugs, and wads of grass get dug up and tossed aside for no apparent reason. The scene reminds me of a bunch of puppies let loose to root around and get muddy paws.

Too bad my own back'yard' is home to the Nazi Troll down below. I wish I had a dog so I could let him run around there and poop his way into canine delight. Maybe I should tell the kids next door that the grass is greener on the other side ... i.e., come down and visit my neck of the woods -- and pay mister troll a visit as well!