Blossoms

RUBY TUESDAY

BLOSSOMS

Breeze-blown, the blossoms bleed into the earth below,

Making room for other scarlet miracles to grow.

*

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BASKET CASE.
(As reported by his Auntie Becca some years ago.)

Harry is my nephew. Harry is still three.
He’s sitting in the laundry-basket playing happily.
He rocks around, making a sound and smiling up at me.

‘Communicate with him!’ I think. ‘That’s what a toddler needs,
Before he really understands; before he ever reads.
Who knows where stimulation from a loving Auntie leads?’

‘Are you in a plane,’ I say, ’Flying in the sky?
Wow! Your wings are very big! You must be very high!
Look! A flock of pretty birds! See them flying by!’

Harry turns and looks at me.
After all, he’s only three!

‘Oh now I see! You’re in a car and the wheels are going round!
Brrrm brmm goes the motor car! What a lovely sound!
You can go so very fast, you hardly touch the ground’.

Harry turns and looks at me.
After all, he’s only three!

‘No! My mistake! You’re in a ship, with lovely bright red sails.
You’re sailing far out in the deep, among the sharks and whales.
There must be dolphins over there! I can see their tails!’

Harry turns and looks at me.
After all, he’s only three!

‘Better still, you’re in a train, having a lovely ride!
I can see the great big trees and the beautiful countryside!
Duck-ponds, houses, bridges too and other things beside!’

Harry turns and looks at me.
After all, he’s only three!

‘Now whee! You’re in a spaceship! I’m sure I’ve got it right.
You can see the world below! What a lovely sight!
Don’t bump into any stars or you’ll turn out the light!’

Harry turns and says to me
‘It’s a laundry basket! Can’t you see!’

*