Summer 2002......................................................................

THREE POEMS    Heidi Stridde

A little pond at the top of the property.

Yes, it's our only pond.

No, you can't swim in it.

It is fed by an under ground stream.

But, there are eighteen ponds within walking distance.

Follow the stream that leads from the pond,

under the triple stone bridge,

flowing parallel to the path that leads to the house,

then emptying into the field.

Ten years have passed

since the wooden ships sailed

in glory on my sea.

The little girl sits on the bridge to be punished

while she daydreams her life away.

***

 

There's one, catch it!

 

The leeches have taken over Dave's pond.

When we go to swim

our time is spent catching them,

throw them as far as you can

into the tall grass,

hoping they won't make it back.

 

After we have finished throwing away

  our quota of leeches

it's time to swim.

Swim -

funny how the word evolved...

to "go swimming" was to splash was to swim was to

SPLASH!.

 

Time to go now.

We jump out of the leechy water.

There were never towels then, only now.

Walk along the grassy road.

Just before we come to the fence,

it's a daily ritual to yell something

so that it would echo off Dave's barn

to return to us.

Hop over the fence.

We are on the road 

towards home

where we live in our swim suits

for the rest of the day.

 

***

I have to go home now.

Will you walk me half way?

We reach the Meeh's house.

It's time for Barbi to turn back.

The fields are empty, bordered off

by stone walls that hide deadly creatures

that steal little girls who are walking

alone at night.

Call me tomorrow.

Sure, see you later.

The Horse and Sled Road is dark and mysterious.

You have to run by its entrance to

avoid being eaten or killed or some other

horrible fate.

Heidi?

Barbi?

Heidi?

Barbi?

Our voices ring out along Shaker Road and 

fade into the night.

I'm home now.

So am I.

Call me tomorrow.

Okay, bye-bye.

Heidi Stridde lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts.  She is Dudley Laufman's daughter and she wrote these poems when she lived in Canterbury as a teenager.