para Manuelito


      by Steve Crow

          You laugh just
          a laugh I can
          ride along,
          down meadows to
          sandshore, climbing
          your heartbeat,
          windwave and water
          who ripples always
          near our feet.

          We can go fishing
          this way, quietly

          riding the other
          side of laughter,
          I know it we could
          have good luck

          river river river
          bring us a fish
          for my son

          the way my father
          taught me to fish,
          one of the only
          things I know,
          sit silent and wait,
          smile with yourself
          in the water and

          how many fish is
          always a joy for
          everyone when
          the first son
          fishes and comes
          home, amazed never
          so much as his
          father with the
          fish held high
          above his head but

          remember, the river,
          she gives them to
          you, she is really
          the one and some day
          you can teach
          your son to be
          proud, amazed and
          how to laugh til
          the tips of your
          toes bite the water
          like many hungry minnows
          who tickle and move
          a lot the way you do.

      Table of Contents

      This magazine is produced by the Write Place
      and is funded through a St. Cloud State University
      (St. Cloud, Minnesota) Cultural Diversity Committee allocation.
      Contributors retain all rights to their work.

      ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000Kaleidoscope

      Kaleidoscope Online

      Last update: 10 May 2000

      URL: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/kaleidoscope/volume2/para.html

      [ Staff | Submission Guidelines]