Park Episode

The child kicked at leaves.
Mother was with others
On a bench.
PD day, away from school.
And time to re-connect.
Mom absented the Job.
Dad had died two years back.
Aneurism’s cruelest theft.
And Boy missed the
Man in his life.
Missed the catch, kites and fishing.
Shy withdrawn, put upon.


You could see it
Even now.
Three punks muttering
In their huddle.
Punch his nose.
Steal his jacket.
Bounce their ball
Off his head.
Instead he looked up.
Smiled and walked over.
Strange?
But Dad had often
Told him, Face bullies dead on.
They will buckle.

I admired his spunk.
Walked over to a point
Four feet behind him.
Folded my arms. Observed.
Steel faced.
The three faded away.

Mom looked up.
Waved to him.
Missed the whole episode.
Next time, I might
Introduce myself.
Give him a little
Toughening friendship.
Never had one of my own.
Never married.