My golden, Astrid, and I walk.
Around Berry Park pond.
A puddle of mallards, a mama, five
Ducklings. They look content,
Unafraid.
Does Dvorak’s Water Goblin live
Here?
Beautiful music.
Also sinister,
Villainous.
Sunlight through the oaks.
Shadow branches,
Benevolent.
If Water Goblin here,
Capture by them is certain. If he rises,
He’ll be drowned, bereft of
Breath.
These trees are vigilant.
—
Astrid barks. I sigh. My mood ring flashes
Green.
What does this mean?
Memory is Trickster,
And I am getting old.
The ring is a long ago gift.
My summer birthday, a party of
Five.
Jessica, Ronnie, Maggie, Karla, and
Me.
All of us, twelve years.
This same park. A picnic. Up,
Late.
Light, long.
Just after dark, we saw a tree we thought
Magic.
A young pine, just three feet
Tall. Adorned with tiny blue fairy
Lights.
I asked why.
It was Karla who said,
There are no other evergreens near.
It feels decorated, special, like it’s
Getting a
Hug.
Karla is gone now So is Maggie.
We didn’t keep in
Touch after high school
Finished.
—
I feel a chill. My face is wet. Astrid and I sit
Under The Tree.
This pine is grown now, and strong.
I’m sure it wants
A hug.
Rebellious Hazelnuts 