In Remembrance

A boy, a mere man-child
caught up to me and bid
me wait a while with him.

Taught me to skip stones
again
Kerplunk. Blip Blip.

I watched his aim, his tilted
shoulder, lithe-muscled arm.
And let it rip
upon my water.
Each time hopping farther.

We held our breaths.

I watched
Him.
Pick another flat, sharp-edged 
missile. Took aim.

Again it skid on the surface
no sound except phwip, phwip, phwip,
Then settled silently to the bottom.

Bored, he walked away- askance
looked over lean shoulders
shrugged, and strode on
without me.

pam adrian--September 6, 1995