Walkin’ my ‘Hood
Step by step
Stride by stride
mile by mile
from Sunset to Twilight
From ‘here’ to “here”, to ‘there’,
and back ‘here’ again!
‘Here’ the wind blown pink hibiscus
blossom takes flight. Jacaranda purple
blooms scatter their stickiness on my soles.
Step by step
Stride by stride
mile by mile
“Here” I walk the sidewalk by the community
sports field - a young girl sits, cross-legged.
She chirps a greeting through chain link.
“Ya’ havin’ fun?” I ask.
“Yeah”. She looks dappled with fence shadows.
“Me too”, I peep.
Step by step
Stride by stride
mile by mile
‘There’, at the corner, a whitish curly-haired
pup strains at the leash as I cross the street.
The blond owner checks the exuberance.
I don’t check mine - keep striding ahead, smiling at flower
beds of blue-eyed grass, yellow yarrow and red sage -
all growin’ by ‘The Plaza’ apartment’s red awning entry.
Step by step
Stride by Stride
mile by mile
My heart’s bright although twilight’s
here. I’ve returned yet again
to ‘here’, to home.
- Jobie Townshend-Zellner