two families
attempt to hike
around the pond
with small children

in family one
parents communicate
only with eachother
try to head off
two year old
who really
really
wants to see the water
up close
his older sister
plays barefoot--
toes in--
trusted

the younger
is herded like a puppy
totally frustrated
ready to cry
while they discuss
whether he's
going to be a problem

it seems that
dad has a new camera
they discuss
it goes on
and on
ready to cry
and so am i

i run from the scene
if i spoke
it would be
from pain

i walk the beach
left high and dry
by this year's
drought

i breathe
try to shake it off
ancient echoes
crying child

i walk on

other side
of the pond
i sit again
storing up sunlight
family group passes
youngest
backpacked on dad
parents talk
with children
they all walk
in child time

older daughter
plays along water's edge
as they go

mom says
let's see if we can see
any more of those
funny birds
little girl says
yea!
and let's see if we can see
any funny frogs!

they walk along
all of them
in child time
a bubble of wonder
in child time
child time

and then
down the path
i see the funny bird
i stop on a dime
sleek black cormorant
hangs his wings
out to dry
standing on a rock
yards from shore

and yards
further out
canoe stops
on the same dime
man with oar
guides his craft
with great care
and held breath
past cormorant
who folds his wings
but does not startle--
no threat here

i see the same canoe
when i've circled
the pond

feeling neighborly
i think to hail him
to praise his skill
back there
but he hears
my thought
and changes course
to avoid me
threatened

hang my wings
out to dry
in warm autumn sun
'til my heart
learns to keep the beat--
a bubble of wonder
in child time
child time