Doctor Grandma

Happy Hollow Park

As a child, I climbed the rocks of this place,

followed the stream-bed as far as it would go,

explored the crevices,

looked for stones

to put in my pocket,

to remember,

The adults called our names in vain,

to return to the picnic spot

but we were gone and out of reach

exploring worlds unknown,

We climbed the hills to where they led

to a schoolyard high above the park,

We found an old abandoned car,

and looked for bones, and bodies,

We found no such thing

but felt we were in

a forbidden spot

or passageway,

Eventually, hunger called us back

to the arms of our mothers, and grandmothers,

where great aunts in their long, dark dresses

spread their food, and filled our bellies,

They spoke in Dutch of the old country,

offered to each another, tea

and stories of life in America,

Their eyes followed us, lovingly,

as this day became a memory

and they saw in us a passageway

to a brighter future.

CFBlack          8-05-2013

Tags: poetry

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