1969

I asked my mother one day
as she stood and looked out into the
golden wheat fields
when we could go to the city
"And why would a nine-year old wanna go to the city?
she asked with her sad hazel eyes

"Just so we can catch
the outline of the skyscapers
as they tuyrn grey in the dusk night;
we'll stop at the side of the road
not making a sound
as the city's lights draw a halo
around its shadowed edges."

1999

My son asked me the other day
as we practiced baseball in the backyard
when we were going to visit the country
"What's a nine-year old going to do in the country?"
I peered at him with my professor's eyes

"I just want to set up a campfire
pitch a tent,
sleep under the stars,
hear the night noises;
watch the moon lay
a blanket of light over
the fish in the fresh
river water."

March 29, 2004