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This the Devil Will See!

1960.  New to our new neighborhood,
I wondered how mom and dad had gotten so rich?
For the first single-family home of my life,
And I realize only now, of theirs, too!

Two floors. with, basement and attic, plus garage,
A biggish backyard, little one in front,
On a short, quiet street, which at the time 
We moved in, had begun a turnover into one of
The first integrated areas in our city, where just north
Atop the visible hill, about two-centuries before,
General George Washington had stood, pointed 
(the story goes)  and said, “There lies a plain field.”  So I thought, too, a beautiful, peaceful area of green
To which we’d even brought along the stray tiger-
Cat we’d found stray...Here 
To tranquility...It seemed...

I found only one other little girl with whom 
To play; three houses away; age 12, three years
Older; named Nancy.  And, we spent enough time
Together for mom to declare she didn’t like Nancy.
Not sure why.  But, this was the only girlfriend
I’d had since the age of five, so
It was going to be, although wishing to God that
It hadn’t been...for the days upon days
We did stuff together, for the life of me,
I only recall one afternoon.

There was some undefinable reason, 
I’d angered Nancy and we stopped walking
At the side of my house far under the small, kitchen Window.  Then, there by the foundation
Where, along the path, a narrow strip 
Full of Lillie’s of the Valley grew,
She towered above me, in height and breadth,
Accusing, “You know what you did!”
I had not the slightest clue.
“Well,” she snorted.  “You know what hell is?”
To which she waited while I think I nodded.
She raised her hefty, right hand to run a finger
Twice across my forehead, then took a step  back
(I supposed gazing at her handiwork) to announce,
“I put an ‘X’ on your forehead.
When you die, they’ll see it and send you to hell!”

I believed in things invisible, but not in that.
I doubted she had such a power.  What was this?
I’d turned to watch her stomp off
Her last steps ever by me.  It wasn’t an insult,
But it felt like some sort of assault — even
At that age, only 10, I knew my young being 
And knew my soul
Stood in good stead: I was left Just...Wondering.

And,I wonder still what God thought of those 
Two minutes in my life, if anything at all.
Was there a reason?  Lessons?
Does God forget?  Even the unremarkable?
An event hardly worth a note, but one so strange,
So odd, I’ve never forgotten that afternoon hour;
The lillies’ fragrance; her scowl; her touch; her size; 
Her loathsome dooming bullet missing my soul.

Thankfully, among the very few of my childhood’s
Bad memories: a most fortunate childhood I had
In comparison to the very so many in time’s account Of kids chased by bullies, by  bulllets, by hunger, by
Their own spirits’ aching for a hope for anything 
Better than this...as it goes on...

Nancy’s Caucasian family moved away within two
Months of an African-American family buying
The house next-door to theirs.  They may well not
Have been missed by any neighboring soul.

————————————————————————————————————-
(c) sally Young eslinger 2/3/21
God be praised.  Bless us, every one!
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