5.
“Five, four, three, two, one,”
counts a man’s booming voice.
“You can do it, Lou! Just five
feet more.” Across the street
on the sidewalk, a tiny girl
with a unicorn helmet is pedaling
a pink tricycle up a slight incline
with all her might, face scrunched
with determination, parents
cheering her on, dad in back,
nudging, mom in front waving
her arms in encouragement.
4.
Five, four, three, two, one.
A submersible plunges
into the dark ocean, explorers
descending into the depths,
searching, pushing down to spy
on what still lives on the ocean
floor, the spirit of adventure
beating wildly in their hearts
until the pressure bursts
and silence falls.
3.
Five, four, three, two, one.
Squeals of delight and sounds
of splashing echo across green
lawns, kids jumping off a deck
into a swimming pool, the heat
of summer rising, the smell
of clover and chlorine smacking
me in the face. My dog and I
walk past the house, sidewalk
decorated with chalk, rainbows
and suns, a child’s scrawl
pronouncing, “You’re awesome!”
to anyone who passes by.
2.
Five, four, three, two, one.
Migrants gather on a dock,
loading into a fishing boat
in the dark of night. I imagine
them packing water, carrying
possessions, wondering what
this new life will bring, the smell
of fear coupled with the thrill
of anticipation. They set sail,
seeking a safer shore, spill
into the sea. Down and down
they go, fighting, surrendering,
becoming one with the water,
until silence falls.
1.
Five, four, three, two, one.
Who can say when our last day
will be. We emerge, pushing
forward, crying, laughing, wet,
innocent with hope, yearning
to explore this precious world.
I do not know these people,
but I feel close to them. I do not
know these neighbors, but my dog
and I stop on the sidewalk,
and I call across the street:
“You can do it, Lou!”
We are also proud to be associated with Iowa Capital Dispatch and encourage you to support their work.
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com
Do you know about the Okoboji Writing Retreat? If not, you should!
It is an amazing three day retreat full of workshops, many of which are taught by Iowa Writers Collaborative members.
There are still a few spaces available!
https://okobojiwritersretreat.com
Dispatches from the Heartland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
I'm torn between two emotions of "awesome" delight and the "depths" of despair. This is another one of your poems that gobsmacked me right in my gut. Again. Thank you for such beautiful work. I hope you write a book!
Mary nailed it! Thanks Suzanna for giving a perspective on a week swirling with facts & emotions, global events & sweet neighbors down the street, a potential crack in Putin’s empire & never ending accusations @ home. Blessings to you & your pen.
I'm torn between two emotions of "awesome" delight and the "depths" of despair. This is another one of your poems that gobsmacked me right in my gut. Again. Thank you for such beautiful work. I hope you write a book!
Mary nailed it! Thanks Suzanna for giving a perspective on a week swirling with facts & emotions, global events & sweet neighbors down the street, a potential crack in Putin’s empire & never ending accusations @ home. Blessings to you & your pen.