Bedtime Story

overhanging branches provide

shade for the young boy who

sits against the tree holding\a 

bamboo pole in his hands as

the fishing line descends from

it and into the murky water of

the little stream in front of him;

for hours he sits alone with

all of his abandoned thoughts

waiting for the tug on the line

that never arrives...  and,

every so often he checks the 

line sometimes replacing the

worm, that he retrieved from

the soup can that sits beside

him just as silent...  special

worms from his neighbor's

garden dug fresh this morning

without permission...  but

unknown to him, his neighbor

watched his actions from her

bedroom window on the 

second floor in perfect view;

at the end of the day and

without anything to eat, the

young boy removes himself

from his favorite spot, carrying

his bamboo pole and empty can

back to his adoptive home and

food then listens to the ever so

sad bedtime story of his life.

22 october 2021