The Journey of the Fool 3-5

3.
A mother's love goes all the way back to the umbilical cord.
Stretching from hip bone ovary to intestines,
Feeding our hunger with hers.
Is it no wonder she gave me the world?
In her care life was bountiful.
Robbers and cops, seeking and hiding,
buried in her bosom to hear her heart beat perfection.
When I would let her coddle me no more
I ran from my front door to find another mother waiting.
Vegetables sprang up from soil saying
I created you and you will nourish yourself of me
Again and again and again.
Stars shone for me with every step
The waves caressed me.
The soil was cracked heaven under my toes
And if I was cold;
If I was ever starving,
I need only follow the taught string tied tight
Back to her arms.
4.
Created in his image
My father smiles every time he thinks I look like him.
His hands are calloused and strong.
They have fashioned cupboards from oak.
They have held a rifle squarely
To eek blood from pelt
To carry home moose and hare
Slung over shoulder.
I remember when I first ran in front
Of a sharp toothed tractor
And those hands thwacked firmly across my backside.
I resented his authority.
I resented his opinion.
But running away, I could only survive on the fruit of the earth
Until Tuesday.
Then it rained, lightning flashed and I could not slay beasts
With my tiny fingers.
I needed his strong hands.
And so I returned to him
And I knew how he was right about the world.
5.
His hands gripped my shoulder
On the first day of school.
Eyes wide with wonder I learned numbers
I learned letters and senses.
I excelled in science.
Poured over Byron.
I found ways to hold mnemonic rhymes in my head
Like a bucket holds water.
And in mornings my voice jibber jabbered
With thick exaltation
As I told Jimmy Fenwick how I secretly devoured
Almost an entire chocolate cake.
I had cronies.
I had respect and reverence.
All I needed to do was wear clothes
Like they did.
Dance
Like they did.
Smoke stolen cigarettes in the back field during recess
Cupping hands against the cold and the prying eyes of adults.
I strived to fit in.
I learned what was taught to me.
For now, I demanded nothing else.