first smile
09 June 2014
The language of numbers,
muffled by crumbling sidewalks,
hopscotch carefully,
avoid the power of suggestion,
mother’s backs safe —
for the moment,
which is more than I can say
for dandelions gone to seed,
whose existence begs
for wanton stomping,
a childhood right,
like the sizzle of hot dogs over an open fire,
or the mustard it took
to shyly say hello
to a friend of a friend’s sister
that very first time …
It’s funny what we remember
as we carve out our place
at the table of thanksgiving,
for the joys that were,
the journey that has been,
and for that first smile
which changed us forever.
Purple's Platitudes 