11-28-2021, 11:54 AM
Acorn Car
Years ago beneath
an oak tree out beside my driveway
moss and dead grass formed
a sort of nest. In it lay
a good-sized plastic car
bright red and not
entirely cartoon-featured.
It looked in good shape, almost new
and I left it there, joking,
maybe it will grow up
into a real one.
About a dozen years later
my neighbors’ son turned sixteen
or anyway got a job
and immediately bought
a bright red pickup truck
which developed a crumpled fender
in about a week - such
are teenage boys.
I wonder sometimes what happened
to that toy car
nestled beneath its oak.
Maybe I know.
Years ago beneath
an oak tree out beside my driveway
moss and dead grass formed
a sort of nest. In it lay
a good-sized plastic car
bright red and not
entirely cartoon-featured.
It looked in good shape, almost new
and I left it there, joking,
maybe it will grow up
into a real one.
About a dozen years later
my neighbors’ son turned sixteen
or anyway got a job
and immediately bought
a bright red pickup truck
which developed a crumpled fender
in about a week - such
are teenage boys.
I wonder sometimes what happened
to that toy car
nestled beneath its oak.
Maybe I know.
Non-practicing atheist

