My sister and I played in our front yard one evening. It was a very interesting experience because at that time I didn't understand what went on. Though today I understand and am very certain that people are capable of doing the sickest things to get what they want. The details are veg but I remember my sister reacted quickly to the situation. We were alone outside. An old man, our neighbor, who we knew was very strange drove up to where we were playing while she was going to get the toy I kept throwing. He asked if we had seen his dog Princes. His daughter had a large dog named Princes. Her fur's very dark almost black but not quite and she had large grey paws. A very rough looking pup but we knew her. My sister shook her head and moved closer to me. I don't remember what she exactly said but I do know she was ready to get us inside. She gave me the look she gives today when things aren't going to go well. I think at that time I was five and she was eight years old. He began to ask again and my sister shook her head, picked me up and carried me to the backyard. A few moments later I looked through the neighbors yard with my sister to see Princes hooked onto her leash inside. It taught me to be aware of my surroundings. We weren't taught that in school yet but somehow my sister knew. I'm thankful that she didn't go with him or get to close to him. Teach kids to protect themselves not only against the people they don't know, but against the people they do know.

I can remember a time

When I was young

About the age when one believes

To be immortal

I hit a bump and fell off the

Back of a wagon

Pulled by my grandfather's tractor

I got to my knees and rose to

My feet and began my journey

Walking the dirt path

Following behind footsteps of the tractor

It was the time of the year

In between seasons

When the ground looked like the heavens

With twinkling stars and the sky

Up above appeared as green as new grass

My walk took me along a trail

Deep in Arkansas hunting grounds

Trees numerous

Along with the abundance of

Shrub-Like vegetation

I was not lost

I could be wrong

I stopped my travels as I came to

A clearing inside all the growth

Before me was a wooden pole

With an aged eagle perched upon it

Staring straight ahead

Not at me - above me it peered

The pole was perfectly placed

In between two men who

Together aged about sixty

To most people the eagle

Beautiful if was not

But as I observed its discolored

Wings and ruffled plummage

Such a majestic creature

With much respect I sang it a song

No sooner had the last word

Flown from my lips

The great eagle spread its

Rested wings

And for the first time during our meeting

It seemed to recognize my presence

With one quick glance toward the ground

And into my curious eyes

The bird lept from its throne

And disappeared into the grassy sky

Feeling as though I was obligated to do so

I scampered to the top of the

Widowed totem and perched myself

Down and stared straight ahead

On the ground there were noises

Men had found me

Lost in my thoughts

A great memory of my past

For at a time in ones life

When one should be afraid

I finally believed I was mortal