Children of Grace

Playing cards struck cycle spokes.

We pedaled fast down the road,

through almond tree streets, where pink petals fell.

Dappled shade, spots of sunlight

like flashlights blinking on-off.

I giggled, you laughed and led us away.

Wavy curls silhouetted

by the sun, you rode into the light.

Keep riding you said, far from our fathers.

Families in disrepair,

reluctant, we paid their sins.

For now we float on our bikes to the park.

With distance from us and them,

we traveled back to our childhood.

At our journey’s end we walked through the park.

From the source came miracles;

we drank our Lithia water.

Mixed it with despair, we then spit it out.

Summer broke, the almonds fell.

We gathered them off the roads.

We collected their hefty burdens too.

Boy, I still remember you.

Your spirit broke us a way.

A short-lived reprieve helped carry me through.

I heard the news, you shattered.

Did you know? I shattered too.

I wanted to hold your little boy hand.

Proclaimed to be saved by God,

they made us victims of sin.

They broke our spirits, and you took your life.

I grew old, with no comfort.

Abandoned, your essence gone.

I wanted to see your spring grin again.

You came back; I felt presence.

You asked me to tell the truth.

Now it’s my turn to pick up the pieces.

It is spring in my mind’s eye,

almond trees in bloom again.

We sit where petals fall on our hair.

Asclepias we’ll gather

a monarch butterfly’s home.

Together we’ll blend our memories to mend.

We will rest on the sweet grass.

In the park we’ll kiss the clouds.

I’ll never forget you my childhood friend.