It’s a cold morning at the bus stop but I don’t mind…
Moments ago, my cousin and I sipped sweet hot coffee and ate scrumptious pastries just like grown-ups at the Donut Hut before school.
Going hungry at lunch was a price worth paying for 30 minutes of tender coming of age connection and deliciousness.
©Dani Heart
10-07-22
(For Denise)
Two foot tall Malibu lights flash
intermittently as they slowly come to life,
lighting the way to wood paneled wannabe mansions,
and signaling the end of our daily adventures.
The last of the hold outs, we huddle beneath them
with our jacket hoods over the top… giggling
and telling spooky stories in our makeshift tent.
The first call to dinner comes but we ignore it…
knowing full well in ten minutes there will be another.
We talk excitedly about our upcoming mud ball fight,
our impressive arsenals, and then taunt and laugh
hysterically while imagining each other’s demise.
Darkness falls as the second call beckons more intently!
If we wait for the third there will be consequences along with it.
So with sore butts, skin pitted through our clothes
from the gravel, we hop up say our goodbyes and
rush toward home calling out promises for tomorrow.
With each footfall we push a little harder…
so that when we reach the door it appears as though
we made the effort for that home cooked meal.
(For Billy)
Copyright 1/20/2011
Dani Heart
And so you said with your eyes intent and beaming
“Just try… we’ll do it together and if we start to fall
I’ll put my feet down… just try”.
If ever there was someone who could will
something into existence it was you!
Then with sweaty, trembling hands,
pushing years of denigration out of my head,
I gripped the bars stood atop the highest pedal
and pushed off hard with my other foot.
We wobbled horribly while gaining momentum,
but to my complete incredulity we did not fall!
How perfect that I experienced my first
inklings of freedom amidst your hoots and hollers,
and encouraging smacks of camaraderie…
the day I learned to ride a bike.
(For Billy)
Copyright 2/8/2011
Dani Heart
a Heart on the matter 