We lived near a county park called Strawberry Lane Metro Parks, in the Cleveland area, where we visited so many times. It, then, was a carefree time, with thoughts of nature, the good life without many cares, and just an enjoyment of life then. No TV with horror stories told, as today, and a different kind of life at that time. Summer time and the living was easy, summer time and the living was swell………..

Strawberry Lane 2015-108

A honking Canadian goose glided toward the pond,

Feet extended for a landing on a fall afternoon.

One among many mixes with assorted fowl,

Honking and quacking in a cacophony of sound.

 

Parasails of leaves flutter to the cool still water,

Landing, then floating in dizzy circles.

A mat of soggy ones clumped and ringing the shore,

Before slowly sinking to the pond bottom forevermore.

 

On the far bank, a small child stood in the mud,

Flinging pebbles, making ripples, laughing with glee,

Her father stood nearby, watching over with a smile.

Remembering a similar experience in life.

 

Down further, a man with a remote guided speedboat,

Fiddled with controls, steering it this way and that.

As a son squatted down, waiting his turn to play,

Wondering just whose gift it was last Christmas day.

 

Lovers hand in hand, walking the nearby trail,

Deep in thought of romance and exuberance of living.

Both wishing for a chosen future day to arrive,

To begin a lifetime of togetherness and caring.

 

Activity of all kinds, a blending a joining,

Man and nature sharing both time and space,

A peaceful setting, so natural and right,

Nature being used as it should be.

 

Den Betts