A Moment
A Red Tonka Dump Truck
A Moment |
Sea Gulls chase the midday tides, Children’s shovels and pails put away for summer. A lone figure walks the empty beach Head bent down, looking, looking… A breeze mixed with the ocean’s breath Captures his long gray hair. Bending over he pokes the sand with his cane, Adjusting his glasses with his finger. A starfish lies in the sand, Its life slipping away. Reaching gently his hands cup the starfish Turning to face the sea. Slowly wading into the surf, He places the starfish in the water. Watching, he sees the starfish start to move; A smile breaks out across his face. Picking up his cane he walks on; The sea gulls continue to chase the tides. |
A Red Tonka Dump Truck | A rusty red and green Tonka dump truck Sits on the top shelf of the golden oak shelves. On another shelf a cherry red steam shovel Rests with it arm outstretched. A yellow road grader holds back a stack of books On the bottom shelf. Sometimes as I pass by these relics of my childhood, I wonder about the small boy, who once loved them. Hours spent under the towering evergreen, Hidden from strong rays of the sun. Imagination full, sounds of trucks and steam shovels, Made each vehicle come alive. Once in a while the boy-man stops to look, Sometimes to pick the dump truck, Turn it over, look at it with the eyes of a child To see back before the man replaced the boy. A smile eases across his face, A time of possibilities … remembered. |
Copyright by Richard Shaw
Backgrounds by Marie