Held In My Heart Steadfast

Apple blossoms falling onto the surface

Of the bubbling clear waters

Of the river at the bottom of our garden

Carrying pink petals downstream

***

Mayfly fluttering around

Minnows shining silver in the flow

Sun bright up above

As I sit in the shadow

***

Of the canopy of leaves overhead

With knobbly bark at my back

Drinking lemonade from an ice-cold jug

Sighing with summer happiness

***

My dog chases my thrown ball

Ears thrown back as he winds his way

With joyous barks and tongue lolling

Through my mother’s prized Peonies

***

Hair a lighter shade of blonde

Freckles on my face abound

Arms from the bottom of Tee-Shirt sleeves

Now as red as my hound

***

A boys laughter at his dogs’ mischief

From those happy days of childhood past

Echo merrily down the years

Held in my heart steadfast