Disobedience

~~

The water would call
as if it were Lorelei luring me,
yet Lorelei dwells far away
not in the grand union canal!

I would stand and sway
dance with the reeds,
fly with the dragon fly
lie to watch the roach
chin cupped in grubby hands.

I became as the chameleon,
dark chestnut head among
a stand of bull rushes
watching the moorhen;

intoxicated by the salty tang
of the reeds,
hypnotized by water boatmen
skimming the surface;

until the low throb throbbing beat
of an approaching narrow boat
would snap me back
bringing me to my bare feet.

Running to meet them
waving and calling
“whatcha carryin’ mister?”

Then before I got an answer
I was caught.

There on the other side,
over the wall
my mothers angry face;
a finger pointing was enough
to send me scuttling home
with an already tingling hide,

knowing there would be
an early night
and no tea for me.

Yet I knew next time
I would not be so impetuous.

©
Copyright
VMM2008