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
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
