All In My Backyard

Learning he was gone and would never be back
The heat of piss and shame as I realize I am not one of the boys
A deep hole of mud
My first love, a dog
Waiting impatiently for my grandmother’s artichokes to grow
Blood stains on the corner of a stucco wall, four of his fingernails lost in the grass
A kiss from my neighbor and then days later one from his sister as well
Hours and hours and hours of hide and seek
Miniature worlds of moist dirt and the sharp cool green of uncut grass
Skinned knees, stubbed toes, bloody lips and black eyes
Holding hands after dark, the whole summer ahead, a promise