The year I turned ten was remarkable. |
When I was ten I went to spend my birthday by this lake; it’s Cowen’s Gap I did unwrap to compliment my cake. I went into the water blue below the cliffs of slate; but creatures crashed with real panache, as I now illustrate. At first a fox brought me two rocks bound by a verdant tie; where then a bear with long black hair gave me a hefty sigh. He had his say then strolled away to make room for a mouse; a piece of field became his yield from his wee-modest house. As she got near, a gentle deer bestowed a fern-like bow; I dropped a buck right by the truck but she declined the dough. And then as she went past a tree that bore some foreign fruit, an owl did glide along my side and gave me quite a hoot. A groundhog popped up to the top of this moss-covered hill; and by his hole appeared a mole who just could not keep still. But then as one, in summer sun, they brought their presents down; my folks and I were startled by those gifts from underground. Then an otter splashed the water and scared away a fin; he did install a dimpled ball some golfer had chipped in. Beyond his drift another gift was offered by a skunk; I was an heir, but over there, lolled otter in a funk. The fine parade these creatures made continued with a hare; he bunny-hopped before he stopped in front of our lawn chair. He tapped a paw for me and Ma, (the otter loll kaput); and then it dawned like a millpond--this was a rabbit’s foot. Then right in tune a large raccoon displayed his nimble hands; he had the knack in gray and black with no undue demands. Within his face I sensed this grace, like pines along the shore; and as he strode to his abode, he turned his head once more. To comprehend at only ten is way too much to ask; it is a screen, for youth is green and often wears a mask. I look back now and I see how life’s like a binding glove; in joy achieved, since I received eleven gifts of love. 32 Lines Writer's Cramp Winner 7-1-20 Woodland Cast at Cowen’s Gap: Fox Bear Mouse Deer Owl Groundhog Mole Otter Skunk Hare Raccoon |