Walkin' My 'Hood

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