For Laura

Laura Tonon was her name, at the new school my only true friend per se Astonishingly she’d taken to me, offered to help with my English every day Unwavering was her big confident smile, even taught me a bit of Italian astray Rich, she had two of the handsomest brothers, Carlos and Diego who played croquet Although only in grade five, she amazed me with a poem she’d written one day DIEGO In deep concentration He sat there, Pondering. His brows wrinkled Like waves rolling across the sea In slow rhythm. From his lungs, the breath Came and went, Escaped and entered. How I envy him Endowed with the gift of patience. -Laura Tonon 1974 Thinking back, it was my first introduction to the power of poetry Obviously I was impressed, truly amazed and I got hooked instantly Needed to learn to walk before I run, so worked on improving my vocabulary Only a few years later t’was when I took to the pen inspired by my mentor’s memory Nothing I’d love more than to meet up again with the old soul in that little prodigy AP: Honorable Mention 2020 Submitted on October 16, 2017 for contest POEM WITHIN A POEM sponsored by BRENDA CHIRI