Roads

On my way home from work
I reached the road
that leads to our house
and I spy
my sister
and her best friend,
each in the supple beauty
of her tenth year,
ambling along the dirt shoulder.

Both swing small brown bags—
candy, I recognize—
as they walk, side by side,
heads together,
giggling,
arms rested upon
one another’s small frames,
bright tanks
carefree and loose
on their shoulders.

How many times did I walk those steps?

My own little bag
looping off my fingertips,
the body of a friend
leaning close,
shimmering
as we skipped,
knees touching
the big blue sky,
hands clasped
around wildflowers
our faces lifted to the road ahead.

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Siobhan Anderson, age 17
Newcastle, Maine
North Yarmouth Academy
Teacher: Ross Markonish