Christmas in Somerville

We called it Slumerville back then
but now it's a cool place to be like all
the neighborhoods around there you would
never walk around alone, at night, in the dark.
no one bought Christmas trees and riding a
bike was to take your life in your hands
and hold it out to a passing bus or car.
Somerville was not gay or festive
happily times changes and people
there buy Christmas trees and ride
bikes; a mini-van even roars past,
not even brushing against his pedal
as they rush across the intersection.