Anthony and DeAndre stood in the snack line studying the menu. They'd stared at its sun-bleached images of ice cream and chips every day so far this school year. It was a ritual, matching their mood ... [+]
Wetly they plunged into the
Heart of their backyard. The ground
Was brown and green and white, the
Leftover snow clumping into
Dark, icy puddles, or
glistening white mounds. A few
Weeds had returned already,
Peppering the brown with green.
But underneath it all was
Mud; profuse, oozing, suckling
Mud, like a baby at your boots,
Clinging to each step and dropping
Away with a moist pop. The
Earth was rising from winter
With all the grace of a
Pubescent teenager.
They played in the snow for the
Last time, and then went inside,
And thirsted for summer.
Heart of their backyard. The ground
Was brown and green and white, the
Leftover snow clumping into
Dark, icy puddles, or
glistening white mounds. A few
Weeds had returned already,
Peppering the brown with green.
But underneath it all was
Mud; profuse, oozing, suckling
Mud, like a baby at your boots,
Clinging to each step and dropping
Away with a moist pop. The
Earth was rising from winter
With all the grace of a
Pubescent teenager.
They played in the snow for the
Last time, and then went inside,
And thirsted for summer.
