Monday, March 12, 2018

AFTER THE CHILD ~








Another Simple Story





We skated and skated

Later looking over

The lake north to

Snow clouds coming


And skated some more

(you do that with a child)


And because of that

Drove home in snow







Son At 19 Moved Away






Deepest snow —

look out the window

to our son’s old tractor toy left

out now for the birds at the feeder

and a nuthatch perched on it like

no one could ever have planned






Sitting With The Sun
On The Steps Of The Hut






I keep telling myself

to take better time

at peeling the small

orange and breaking

its heart into pieces







After The Child





the swing

swings






How To Survive In America, My Son




Forget tv

& newspapers

silly phones

& “what’s important” 

watch the sky, the trees, the tide


animals don’t care much about you until you look like them


when rolling the car

bang back the roof

knock smooth the doors

find new glass

don’t lend the car again


cover the tomatoes for as long as you can

the morning ice is in the work pails

rake the yard by hand 

leaf all garden beds

it’s time to say goodbye


do this with someone you love or who is your thoughts


watch for fools —

they act &

often

look

like you





————————————
BOB ARNOLD
I'm In Love With You
Who Is In Love With Me
Longhouse 2012