It’s here –
a life defining moment

STARE into the possible –
be with, do not force

Be grounded –
no need to QUAKE

Imagine a safe place –
a verdent GLADE, a
realm of abundance

This is not a battle –
no need for a BLADE,
soften defenses

Walk forward –
embrace gently the emergence
of tender newness

Georg’ann

Visiting Echo Park

Climbing the steep stairs,
a public walkway gentrified,
he tells us childhood stories.
So much happened here.
FINAL time these chapters
might be told. An aunt in LABOR,
each step excruciating.
Little boy temper tantrum
about wanting a bike.
Frustrated mother hit him
on the head, with a glass bottle.

To the left a garden. Back then
it was an empty dirt lot,
tall dried grasses to hide in.
Setting a paper airplane on fire,
he started a BLAZE. Dangerous

sitting in the midst of flames.
Firefighters intimidating, fear.
Years later gang fights.
When the BLADE came out, ran
home so fast, ducking into yards.
Spaces he knew well.

We eat tacos across the street
from where his father’s upholstery
shop had been, down the street
from his uncle’s auto repair.
Paper routes, candy stores.

Returning up the steep staircase
I see a clementine. Pick it up,
hand it to him. He tosses it
down the gully like the marbles
and rocks of yesteryear.
We watch the orange ball bounce,
picking up speed as it rolls.
This old man a boy again.

Heather