Friends and Crinolines

Friends and Crinolines
(free verse)

I woke up this morning
sitting on white clouds
high above the earth.
A mild breeze was blowing;
the sky above me was clear.
Little birds were singing;
dew was falling gently.

Was I dreaming?
It didn't seem so,
but it was me of 45 years ago.
I'm surprised I remember what I looked like
or that I ever dressed that way.
Was I always so unobservant?
Perhaps.

I was in a sleeveless blue blouse
a broomstick skirt *
bare legged
with penny loafers** on my feet.
My hair was long and shiny,
down to my waist.
I had no makeup on.

I was hunched over with my chin in my hand,
my elbow on my knee.
I would kick the tiny clouds
life puffs of cotton candy.
I liked to see them spin.
Then they rolled back in place,
amusing me once more,
making a carpet for my feet.

Eventually, a few clouds moved;
I could see below me,
all the years of my life,
running, overlapping.
Quickly were they seen, quickly gone
just as the real years had rolled away.
A lifetime circled the globe,
my earth on earth.

I realized I have few regrets;
My life is good, full, interesting.
I do wish, though, that I had learned
to savor the moments.
I didn't take enough photos,
didn't write enough letters,
didn't say thanks nearly enough,
let good intentions fade away.

I was touched by so many.
Did I give enough back?
What happened to the first teacher who believed
or the minister who explained?
Things would have been so different,
without them, those who cared.
Where is the man who knew I wasn't ready yet,
took me home safe and sound?

Before the clouds break up;
before I am gone forever,
I am going to try to find everyone who gave to me
and say thank you,
beginning with God... and you, my dearest childhood friend..




* A very full cotton skirt with a wasit band that buttoned in the back worn with many crinolines (starched slips) underneath.

** Penny loafers, a flat brown or black shoe with a slot on the top for a penny.