Finger-Paint Picasso

for school

I am from dirt piles,

From Polly Pockets and plastic dinosaurs.

I am from the crawdads in the creek

            (Red, writhing,

            Like crustacean dragons).

I am from the fallen shed

In Grandpa’s background,

Which hunched like a crushed goldmine

Of the romantic ‘Ol West.

 

 I’m from kolaches and swimming pools,

From Pokey and Gumby.

I’m from recess-soccer

And wooden-sword fights,

From clean up!  And wash the dishes!

I’m from wearing dresses once a week

To sit in Sunday school

And whisper prayers to my pillow.

 

I’m from dinosaur names and dragon books,

Hot chocolate and fresh apples.

From my Grandpa’s closet

Of intriguing junk,

The baby rabbits born under the shed.

 

On my fridge were pictures—

Finger-painted Picassos

And Da Vinci through children’s eyes—

Smiles smeared across every face.

I am from

That Laughing Symphony,

Whimsical in my memory.