Learned?

South Saint Paul High football field.

Natural amphitheater. 

Flat all around; concrete seats in hillside.

Shot an arrow into the air.

Straight up.

To see how high it would go.

It vanished at once.

A razor sharp hunting tip.

Was 11 or so.

Felt foolish.

Seemed safest to stand still –

Couldn’t shoot it perfectly straight up; … … could I?

It finally fell back 30 yards away. 

Thunk!

Buried itself 4-5 inches deep in hard ground. 

Pulled it out.

Learned.

?

Safe.

Safe at last.

Safe to hear her voice.

Safe to hear what she chose for me. 

Safe to play her self-made Valentine’s tape.

Gift from a friend; loved one, we said, we knew -- then.

Safe; seems a long time since then, since parting “friends”. 

She read David Whyte, Oscar Peterson played.

Her cello voice still brings hot tears.

Find David Whyte books, 

Peterson discs.

Learn.


 

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