the sage brushes
caress scabbed legs;
thin white lines, scars.
blood under fingernails.
umbrellas contain the images
of happy summer days;
sunny Saturday mornings.
hot sidewalks.
memories shield the children,
as they get lost in them.
sandal straps cut into feet;
dusty white.
pinched toes.
may beetle bites
dot delicate arms;
scratched until bloody.
rainy Wednesday mornings;
slaps to drawn faces.









12 old applause
