stand up tall 
	with chins 
finally even with sky,

	(that
truthful statue despite time
	of childhood)

me
 in a dirty sundress
	the kind,
with little blue flowers 
speckled like pepper,

and you
 barefoot too
and in rolled up overalls
heavy with trinkets in pockets-
       there were twigs in your hair

we would come on bikes 
-like they were wild stallions-
to this huge and ancient 
	oak tree
who carried all the tenderness and wisdom
			of a grandpa

and we'd look up into those strong limbs
and wonder how something 
          could be great enough
 to keep the sun at bay.