for T

Clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack…

a stick along a picket fence;

sound soothes as does the vibe of my hand,

bumpty-bumpty-bumpty-bump…

skates roar on an autumn sidewalk

up my street lined with familiarity.

•

“I’ve always had a secret

that I could not share

about my conversations

with the tortoise and the hare.”

•

Cheeks redder than red as my hair,

eyes wind whipped to weeping,

a swipe of a pink sweatered arm

does my nose just fine.

Metallic clatter off the curb….jump!

Jump! and back up again.  Rooar! Rooar!

•

“Tell me Mister Hardshell,

how do you sit so still;

haven’t you made promises

you’re obliged to fulfill

and……is it dark inside your shell?”

•

“Listen, little darling,

honey can’t you see,

we’re only made to gaze and wait;

our only purpose is to be

and….darkness softens time considerably.”

•

Comes the call but the roars too loud,

“Come in, its getting cold!”

The cold wind swallows the familiar plea

and there’s clacking on a picket fence.

•

“Tell me Mister Speedster,

why do you run all day,

why do you dither and dash

in such an erratic way

and…where are you going?”

•

“Listen to me sweetie,

life is just a thrill!

We rush and rave and cast

about….and over the hill is the carrot patch.”

•

The street is still familiar….

shorter, of course, narrower, too;

roots have heaved the sidewalks

to skateboard ramps, little matter,

kids play in the street now with no

respect, daring you to hit them.

•

And still, often, I lie in the dark

listening to Mister Hardshell breathe,

drawing first my legs, then arms and

lastly my head into my shell and then

synchronizing our breaths….slower…

slower…to slower…to stop…if I could.

•

And there are times I chase Mister

Speedster till my lungs ache with

a greed for things unknown and

anger gushes hot from every pore

splattering those near me and

they turn and look at me and I

never hear their abashed silence.

•

Where are the picket fences now

and a good stick with which to ply

a synchronous rhythm, a survival beat?