the toll of the bell
resonating through my brain
drilling my body into the ground
a cumbersome book clung to my head
and with the next clang
the book opened revealing
a house balanced on my skull
the drilling stopped
my breath slowed
I became aware of my fingers
the peal fading into dusk
the house stood before me
beside it a mango tree
grew strong and tall
with heavy fruit pulling
the branches down low
Namaste, namaste
sizzling silver summer sandal shines splendidly
scorching sun stifles sweltering seated sticky sunbathers
seriously seeking sustaining serene shade
strange soul- searching sultry soldiers step solidly
stage soloists slide sideways singing silly songs
spectators see slowly setting sun sparkle superbly
suspicious strangers scrupulously stroll sluggishly
suddenly separating sadly
sidewalks shorten, shadows stretch
stars sprinkle shadowy sky
making grimy mud pies in the dirt
shaping the dark, cool muck
into round compact disks
scoring the top into wedges
with a bent twig
decorating the pies with flowers
totally engrossed in the task
only the breeze as a playmate
until a caterpillar called her name
breaking her reverie
and sending her screaming
across the lawn
looking for her mother
who laughed until tears streamed
down her cheeks
and the young girl kicked her pies
breaking them in pieces
so they could return to the dirt
from which they came.
