Just Around the Corner Narrative Poem

Just Around the Corner Narrative Poem

Just Around the Corner

The card game through, the smoky house clears out, and voices grow as folks come close I know what it about. Friendly, but insistent they come to wake me up and take me home. Cranky, I squall, then moan as mommy moves me from covers, very warm, and stands me up while dad stuffs feet into my shoes and ties brown laces into bows I see and watch with awe little curlicues that act as butterflies!

As this is done to ready me, there more my arms are thrust up high for jacket fall that coats my arms and lands upon my head quickly pulled free then lands on shoulders, small, that jerks me wide awake for that which comes at night I know from recent past experience (so limited) is due to visiting relatives around the corner at night.

I love to go to play and stay awhile and listen to the gab, but soon it seems the lights grow dim and suddenly, when placed upon the couch, blink out . . .

Now auntie leans, kisses my sleepy cheeks, and uncle musses my curly hair so that my eyes see blurs while words ring clear; words that mean goodbye but say "goodnight".

It now I see and watch uncle big hands, now fists, curl the brass doorknob, and twist. The blast of wind blows through the door with force I waited for, and tuck my head against my dad who pats me some, some more.

I hear the click of shoe hard soles tripping gently down the granite stairs; I hope they dry I slipped before, so grip my dad warm hand to help me down below.

Glittering street, that place with bright white lights that line the way now dim with fog that scatters beads of salty drops to sparkle as they fall and land as cold wet mist on cheeks of me already red I told by dad who murmurs low, polite, to mommy ear, then back to me.

Says dad with cheer, "D like to go to uncle house?"

"Uh huh," I say and tug my dad to speed up home please please, I shake. It cold!

It there, just up the block see now the white cottage! I run. Five steps, four steps, three steps, just two, now none, I jump and jump for mommy and dad to catch up to let me in where bed awaits, all made for me and Barnaby cat to curl and sleep night.

I in, I jump, I tumble, I gather soft covers that smell of mommy soap; then dad chuckles, tells mommy down hall, "he right!" Then kissed I learn later, when dad reminisces vocally with an older gone, and so goes out the light.