The granite pillars that were once obtained for and possibly used as humble yet attractive corner posts now lay, end to end, on their sides encompassing a bed of ivy at the broad side of our house. The square, rough chiseled edges made for a more than adequate treaded surface as I came tip-toeing across dancing over the small gap in between each and taking careful precautions so as to not fall the fifty-foot drop to the net below and possibly disappoint the paying customers who had come to witness this, such a remarkable young boy’s tight-roping abilities!
A miscalculation… my sneaker slid of the granite and onto grass and I was awakened. Sidetracked.
Never in my life had I taken note as to a wind so warm and dry that circles the oaks shadowing our house.
I paused in my traces and squinted my eyes into the coming thrush. The affectionate breeze carried aromas of grass cuttings, stagnant blackberry, and dry leaves.
… I closed my eyes and envisioned raked leaves in piles high. I stood back, far from a selected mound and waved my hand at the spectators in the stands. I brushed a bit of rough from my red, white, and blue flameproof suite readied myself. Bend. Pause. Hit it! I ran mightily and upon reaching the pile I flung myself upwards and entered freefall prior to landing the feat! Leaves damp and rich with soil smells enveloped me...
My hand brushed the tire swing and spun as I walked past it.
I sat in the grass with my sneakers out in front of me and leaned back on my hands, my head folded to the right as I studied the damp sheets drying on the line. I approached the entrance of the teepee slowly not wanting to startle the chief inside. I placed my hands together in proper prayer form and slid them into the sheet folded over the line… elbows, shoulders, head.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer coolness inside as my cheeks and forearms rejoiced feeling the moisture from the damp sheet. I spun around, around and inhaled only through my nose smelling the detergent my Mother had chosen.
I looked up and smiled as the sun glowed through the white sheet with yellow flowers to me safe inside.
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