Tahoe Park

Behind enemy lines pitched in Valiant Dirt clod wars
with Andy in back of the grimy Exxon station.

        The Master painted countless Summer Sunsets
        while I waited alone for you squatting on the stoop.

                Swimming with Cindy and Karen; Aunt Geri's patience
                measured by the diminishing scale of her smile.

                        Curled up with Ancil on lonely winter nights,
                        drifting off to sleep in front of the fire.

                Snoopy and Charlie way up there
                waving to the man in the moon.

        They landed safely and Neil finally
        became the man ON the moon.

I got my first double on a
    scorching April night and a
        cup of greasy chili after from
        my Dad who never missed a
    game, though I never knew
why he cried that night.

They shot at the President downtown.
    No not Him, the one that pardoned Him.
        All I know is it was one of those Manson
            people, but Grandma said
                she's now some kind of Symbionese,
                    whatever the heck that means.

Sleepy Saturday mornings
with Fat Albert,
chewing slowly
on those awesome
candied figs
from Gretchen,
slowly sucking the life
out of the tiny
black cherries from out back.
Mommy..........................
MOMMY!!!
What's an Oleander,
and why can't I eat one?

Ken from Okinawa
who is I'm quite sure,
the smartest guy alive.

Mario from Manilla
whose mom can cook ANYTHING,
and make it taste AMAZING.

And Guy from way far away,
you know...down by the church--
He made All-City 10 years later.