THE AMBULANCE -
by Jeanie Carter, from Spendrift, 1977
Wheels spin in dust,dust whirls in wind,
wind twists his hair,
as Tony follows
the fading siren,
warm familiar dust
squishing between his toes,
then rising to rim
the legs of his jeans.
The sun stripes gold
down his straight brown hair
and waves a long, thin
shadow-boy before him.
His father is at home, alone,
standing on the porch,
staring down the road.
His mother is in the wailing
whirlwind of dust
speeding down the road.
Tony spins, whirls, and twists,
playing the game of losing
the shadow-boy in the dust.
He does not yet know
he knows
his mother will not be back
to mend his clothes,
wash his ears,
and hold him close.
This poem of Jeanie's was published in 1977 when she was 46 years old. Just think of all
the ensuing years she had to continue writing.
At the
end of the Garland County Community College literary journal where these poems appear are thoughts by each
contributor. Jeanie’s was: “Creativity is often joyous, often painful, but I
keep trying.” Her life, like her creativity, was often joyous, and in later years, often painful. Now, Jeanie Dolan Carter rests from her efforts. God bless her soul.
--PL
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