Passage

PASSAGE

She moves awkwardly,
baby on her hip
toddler with limbs entwined
around her skirt and legs
Tediously hanging laundry

She pauses as voices
are carried on the wind
Young girls in a nearby field
Dance around a well
All wearing crowns
of Queen Anne's Lace
Chanting the love song
of the daisy
as they pluck the petals
and watch them cascade
into the darkness below

Moving hastily through her task
Rushing on toward the house
Stopping briefly
She stoops and makes a buttercup garland
and smiling
places it on the crying toddler
who laughs
They continue hand in hand

1983

Reflective Index