ONCE UPON A TIME

Once upon a time

 At my age you don’t expect to learn something new, at least not every day.  However I am learning something new every day. Granted, it’s the same thing, but I learn it over and over with the same startled awareness. I look out at the lush green expanse behind my house, gazing with pleasure at everything growing, especially my locust, loving the spread of its branches, and at the same moment, or a moment later, I remember this is not really my green yard, and not really my tree. Mine to appreciate, to care for while I live, but I don’t really own anything. What is mine to keep? Secrets, maybe. Nothing else. Mortality is hitting home in interesting ways, but it doesn’t diminish the pleasure I take in the way my locust fills the sky.

     Had two dry dinosaurs. Painted one green, the other pink. Also made an unfriendly woman. Because why not? We don’t always feel so friendly. But leaving Sunflower I heard a voice call, “ Hey good lookin,” and I turned around. “You knew to turn around,” said a somewhat disheveled guy, not necessarily in possession of all his marbles, nor steady on his feet, but it was a sweet moment. “Once upon a time,” I said, smiling, and got in the car.