for only a day

for only a day once, so long ago, we ran through plowed fields, barely missing sharp glass fragments and jagged rocks and never missing opportunities to laugh and stumble over one another it was easy to hide from approaching cars and imaginary pirates swinging galvanized swords tears and blood were hidden in mud streaks and wishes drowned in grass roots where summer days covered the field with corn stalks and blackberries memories of childhood were stolen away by nightmares of shallow streams and blueberry bruises at days end we retreated to trivial encampments within our minds concealed barricades and crumbling forts were whisked away stolen by afternoon winds fear, that dominant master, directed us home pouring emptiness into places where hope lived for only a day © tolbert