The summer after high school
friends and I met girls
from town at the lake.
My friends jumped in and out
of the water— I swam
in the lake’s cool embrace
but paused to talk
to one of the girls,
Vickie, I believe.
We were young and anxious
we were boys but men
waiting to go to college
with a touch of anticipation
but in moments
spent with them
we forgot.
Small talk came easy
on idle week day afternoons
while clouds drifted by
in open skies passing
over a placid countryside.
We often pondered out fate
but for now, this was where
we were meant to be.
Late in the afternoon
nothing was said
when we went to our cars
but we knew we would
be back.
A soft breeze whispered.
I thought I had seen koi fish before, but nothing like this
Owned by an eccentric widow whose koi fulfilled her wish
their brilliant oranges were a lovely contrast to green lily pads
I could not tell if I was looking at baby fish, mamas or dads
The koi were all beautiful, they made a fine contrast to the water
You are a lucky woman, I said to our town’s favorite daughter
She is generous with her money, her resources and her time.
We know she can be counted on for much more than a dime.
They are my babies, she said, delighted at my appreciation.
They were gorgeous, their colors as brilliant as any in our nation.
The koi knew I was watching and did tricks to show off a bit.
I will never forget my visit to the koi pond of Mrs. DeWitt
The brand new cat manicurist was having a fit
Her latest client was impossible, her name Miss DeWitt
DeWitt would retract her half-polished claws at a crucial time
Making even coverage impossible for Miss Manicurist Mime.
Could you please leave the claws out? MMM asked politely.
But Miss DeWitt was a mean kitty, so her nails remained unsightly.
They are tinier than fawns, the deer said to his friend, Lou.
Their thick tails are longer, and they have strange coughs too.
They have strange hoofs, and when excited they howl a bit.
Good grief! They are not deer at all said a wise buck named Dewitt.
I think that they are, the deer said to his cousin, Sixpence.
They scamper off fast, and they can get through a fence.
They are kitties said Sixpence, and they are clever and quick.
Thinking they are small fawns make your brain sound quite thick.
Written: June 13, 1989
Spun: February 12, 2012
Dedicated to my dear BFFL-Bud friend, Clint (Aubrey Clinton Dewitt) who will find many new doors to open in life…..Thanks for opening a new door for me!
A NEW DOOR OPENS
Though your patience
Has almost past
And you’ve seen that
New door at last
Remember when the door
Opens up for you
Just stop and look
DO NOT run through
It must be taken
Just very slow
For it takes much time
To get to know
Especially if you
Are one in love
Your path must then
Be shared instead of
So that door
May not be so good
Just pass it on by
But be sure you should
Florence McMillian (Flo)
A silver white moon lit the night sky.
The peaceful earth was asleep.
Yet evil hid behind the nearest star
as she saw men in white approaching from afar.
Her heart beat fast; their hate was hot,
too hot for her to bear.
She sat with the moon as he started to cry.
She asked him why?
He said, “Be still my child and look up,
for the stars have begun to melt.”
This poem was written about a fictional character, Wanda DeWitt, for my first
novel, Willow Creek.
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.