Night Patrol

My brother wrote a story

Based on childhood, when we went

To the Catskills for the summer;

Those were joyous times we spent.

 

In his telling, though, he mentioned

“Night patrol,” which caught me short.

I’d forgotten all about it,

Something memory did thwart.

 

On the weekends, when the fathers

(Who remained at home for work)

Traveled up to see their families,

What awaited was a perk.

 

For at night, in the casino,

(Like a clubhouse party space)

There was music, booze and dancing;

Lots of fun was taking place.

 

All the children, unattended,

Stayed inside the bungalows

While some older teens on “night patrol”

Strode up and down the rows.

 

Everything was walking distance,

So if something was amiss,

Like a crying baby or a toddler

Needing mommy’s kiss

 

Night patrol came to the rescue,

Someone fetching dad or mom,

While another night patroller

Stayed and kept the kiddies calm.

 

Those were different times, for sure;

Doors were unlocked and not a soul

Ever worried ‘bout a problem,

Knowing there was night patrol.