once upon a time

remember the time when you were nine
you drove Dad’s Frazer
the one that wore a printer’s cap
down the hill
into the bottom
with Larry and me
perched on the bumper
like footmen
on a silver coach
we went round and round
making circles
in the tall grass
Mother rang the dinner bell
frantic
fearing we’d end up in the creek
Daddy came running from the woods
shotgun on his shoulder
called from his hunting
to rescue
three musketeers.

                        Nancy L. Meade

                        (To David from Sis)