The Redheaded Dune Racer
Crablike, he scrambles straight up the dune,
like he was late for an appointment, crosses the path
and goes even higher.
He stops –
satisfied with his spot –
He is still –
Watching.
Then, his race begins with a galloping gait.
He picks up SPEED, tears DYNAMICALLY down that dune
in rhythm – all systems go
Six years old, like a downhill skier, perfectly balanced,
His sheer exhilaration and excitement
beam out to the ocean and beyond
LOOK AT HIM! He’s so proud, innocent.
At top speed now, he reaches the flat beach –
But wait! – He keeps on running.
The sea beckons, race not yet done, until
he hits the waves.
In the water, he stops, twirls around and like a conductor,
gives a deep bow to his audience, real or imagined.
But, I have seen this performance and recorded it for posterity and
my loneliness
He walks towards the camera,
With an “aw shucks” nonchalance
I asked him, “How was it?”
He replies simply, “Good.”
Yes, it was good, and so was the world back then.