Its Second Encore

Its Second Encore

(“From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.” Matthew 11:12)

From the begun at the report of the starter’s gun,
to the oval offers around the next lap pounding,
the perfect machine, the human exchange of
lubrication for dreams; knees, ankles, soles and hips;
the multi-levered propellant marches round the
feet at the bottom of progressive hills.

From the first-story explosion until the taking of the kingdom,
notions have risen, clouds have gathered, rain has splattered
the fields with emotions secretly untethered from the ancient
posts of propriety.

Suitable for classrooms, to be sure;
required for the next sales brochure,
but never intended, and far too much baggage
for a global central nervous system cure.

Dad set up the 2x4 on its side, as a test, as a Scout,
for balance, for badges, for 4 yards, and I fell. I walk
the thin white line inborn like a slalom. I stay on my feet

That way.

Color within the lines and hang the purple hippo on the fridge.
I preferred blank and white; glue not crayons, twigs not colors,
and a plastic letter or two from my brother’s alphabet game.

We run, or climb the rungs, or break down walls, or
divine the combination. Hungry for air, the heart
drives the legs beyond dog-park walks and demands
a hike halfway to the treeline where,
crayons and balance beams forgotten,
we kick up gravel (thunder and rebound)
while the sky swallows our hoots down whole.

No one knew how we arrived while the heavens
played its second encore of the day.