everything was simple you were A+ smart or dumb ma claimed a solid breakfast 
helped the brain her cooking was the best because we hurried home right past 
mcpherson's dog who licked your hand or took a chunk out of your leg  as 
north winds blasted or summer sun  raised blisters on backs that mrs. goldin 
soothed with vinegar and olive oil while mr goldin told the same old jokes 
again we float a life time above the kitchen talk in rooms of broken english 
where  if you took the dare to walk backwards downstairs we must have missed 
a few since one day more is one day less we fall from sleep and walk with 
shoes laced tight outdistancing childhood and before we know the sandman's 
come adjusting chin straps putting pennies on lids it's not the first leaving 
but it may well be the last 
 

Copyright 2001,  Ruth Daigon