A Child’s Memory

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