Once Upon a Time Poems

River Road

A primitive priestess I am,
with a passion for motherhood,
on the old wavy road
hugging a river that sings a fugue
in adoration.
My tires hum along,
the engine whirrs,
and my thoughts
invade the tall grass
by the waterside.

Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel,
I drive and reflect
on the son I’ve raised for eleven years,
tailoring his thinking;
hoping he won’t be stranded
inside any darkness,
hoping, his breath
will always stay sweet,
hoping, his team bus will arrive early,
so I won’t have to wait too long,
hoping, before midnight,
he can rest his soccer-worn body,
curled-up on the sofa,
and dream starlit dreams
with his head
on my soft lap,
while I offer prayers
and rose petals
to the altar of his soul.