Body and Soul

BRANCHES WITH GREEN LEAVES

My seven-year-old grandson
believes it's important work
to help repair trails I've built

through rock-strewn
mountain property, even
asking if we can build new

ones to new places... and
he believes me when I tell
him to hang onto branches

with green leaves when
he edges down a steep bank
to the stream, and his eyes

grow big when I tell him
about the bones I found in
the hollow where deer come

down to drink, and when
the trail back to the house
gets steep, he puts his hand

in mine and I know I'm
safe for a little while.

for Sam