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This Day's Gift
by Kristina WoodhillDog walking time on the greenbelt
4 p. m.
This is a three-layer day on my bike;
it is a brisk, flat-flag afternoon.
I am bundled against the cold
and racing the setting sun
as it discusses another heavy frost
with the coming night air.
The die hards are out back
in sweatshirts circling
their barbeque campfire;
the flames are roaring as they
all yell "water, water!"
laughing at their own
foolishness,
knowing this might be
their last smack down
of meat on the grill.
The wild brown bunnies
are no where to be seen.
All walkers have dogs
on a leash.
My favorite today is the
white and black great Dane
along side a lithe, tall woman
whose only true hold on its leash
is the huge dog's total devotion
and her young determination.
The last group I meet before
leaving the belt
is a small boy of about three
with his mother and dog;
the toddler is running ahead,
spies me from way off,
and yells, "Hiiiiii!", loud and clear
and I yell, "Hiiiiii!", back as I pass.
Our "i's" meet and
doppler dance a tango
of good cheer and innocent
first contact,
as I inwardly rejoice at
hearing no fear or hesitation
in his young voice,
and I claim my day's gift,
the perfect fuel,
freely given,
for my sprint home.
11/16/2008 Posted on 11/17/2008
Copyright © 2025 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 11/17/08 at 01:47 AM Wow, Kristina....this is terrific. It gives me all I want, story, image, clearity and reward. The intonation of innocence is refreshment enough, but what's inside gets out-peace and love, right there in public. Brava! Thanks. Potd. |
| Posted by Tony Whitaker on 11/17/08 at 04:01 AM An intricately detailed look at a moment in time that stimulates every sense. Another great piece Kristina. |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 11/17/08 at 05:08 AM I like how simple the opening to this, in terms of the imagery. This thing really picks up an amazing pace and pushes into some pretty strong territory. Obviously though, it's a pleasure keeping up with your words. |
| Posted by Alison McKenzie on 11/17/08 at 06:24 PM Delightful. I feel like I'm a camera in your backpack on that bike. I love the vision of the fearless toddler, and the reference to "doppler dance". I can feel the late autumn of it, sort of a greedy hurry that everyone feels as they eat up the very last of tolerable outside weather. |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 11/17/08 at 07:01 PM Your a darn tough act to follow m'lady. So many nice thoughts, lines, and discriptions here. Very enjoyable! |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 11/17/08 at 09:02 PM Glad I took the poetic ride with you! Most enjoyable. Reference to innocence of a child toward a "stranger" poignant in this day and age when parents are encouraged to engender fear for child's safety. |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 11/18/08 at 11:25 PM My choice for poem of the day Kris!....CharMin |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 11/20/08 at 12:30 AM "Hiiiiii!"
gift
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