Chill from a Soccer Hill from the collection: Wild Cucumbers Atop a Hill Called Molly
…it was 5:13 when I’d found my perch
Up on the slant of the tall windy hill
I’ve just got to say it; it’s just got to be said:
Today is my favorite, most favoritist day every time,
When soccer invites me out under the sky
…at 5:36 the halftime whistle split the air – two times is the code –
Grab some water!
Shake your legs!
You get only nine extra nods!
So breathe deep and exhale
Take a sip and a glance
Find your mom at the side
Check your laces and mates
Back up on your feet now!
Back out on the field!
What a rush, what a ride – what amazing athletes!
…and at 6:19, the final whistle pierces with sharp finality
Whew – it’s a chilly wind a blowin’!!
I’ve lit a fire: inside is now 73.7 degrees…
It takes a minute to un-numb from the chill of a soccer wind J
As I warmed from inside: parental pride as the fuel, so efficient, so complete
I chopped a log and cleaned the ashes and built a beautiful wood fire
Bucket of kindling beside, box of split wood behind...
Listen to the wind as it’s howling
…and hear Janis Joplin
She’s singing about freedom; she’s singing about us
Swirling and churning in a beautiful frenzy:
Not frenetic or fanatic but energetic and fierce;
Neither threatening nor menacing but thrilling and cozy…
Dinner’s done. Dishes are done. Bed is calling. The temperature keeps falling.
Goodnight September chill
Goodnight last days of summer