A Place to Pause

A Place to Pause

Well

There’s a well in the barnyard

off to the side,

not near the back of the house-

a step from the kitchen.

She seems ornamental,

for this is a modern house

full of all appliances

and hot running water.

The well, for me, at least—

a visitor, is a call to memory.

So well trimmed, she is,

with thick-mortared rough brick—

a lone-standing beauty

with a little pitched roof

and crank complete

with galvanized bucket

waiting.

I accepted, leaned over

her edge to see

my shadow

in her silver-blue sky,

lowered the bucket

like a proud boy,

cranked it up,

then turned it over,

pouring its glisten back

like a fish I’d caught

and didn’t keep.

To Ponder

            1.   When chance provides you with a magnificent repeat of

                  the past, for heavens sake do not let it go by untouched.

            2.   Do not, I say, do not dismiss small events and visuals

                  that wake you up to former feelings you’ve lost.

            3.   What are they, words of an old song; something your

                  sister said to you once that smacked you flat?

            4.   We are who we are, even though we may try to forget.

                  That’s the foundation—a strength somehow—not to deny.

            5.   No matter, rich or poor, or wherever in between, you are

                  in some measure where and what you came from and

                  that’s your uniqueness.

            6.   You don’t have to be limited by your past. You can grow

                  beyond, grateful that bits of your history is in your cells—

                  rich and true! 

            7.   So look around; the eyes you have to see are yours

                  alone. Claim their bounty.

© 2013 Allan Cox, Allan Cox & Associates Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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If you enjoy reading this story, you may wish to order WHOA! Are They Glad You’re in Their lives? available on Amazon Kindle and in print edition too. 

  • Kindle Edition: WHOA! Are They Glad You're in Their Lives?

  • Print Edition: WHOA! Are They Glad You're in Their Lives?

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