Loose Change

 

innocence and a smile

 

" come back again  " 

 

thirty eight cents

 

rattled in my palms

 

 

holding memories

 

 

the quarter was  shiny and new  

 

1966  

 

the nickel , a treasure

 

a Buffalo

 

I would trade with my Dad

 

and three pennies 

 

stamped memories in tarnished copper

 

of when I as five , eight

 

and the beginning of

 

and the end of

 

that day 

 

over cast and grey  

 

we cut across a field and jumped the fence

 

into your backyard

 

sanctuary

 

where everything changed  ...

 

a blur of questions

 

and flashing lights   

 

shields

 

of men in blue

 

but I saw her body

 

I saw the blood

 

and I heard you cry ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All images and writing property of Robin Amaral . Do not copy or use without expressed written consent .
All rights reserved.  Copyright © 2012 Robin Christopher Amaral

 

Reviews

[Devons]

A cinematic, scenic kind of writing; a simple, harmless object triggering a hazy dive through memory, and a flashback into a childhood interrupted. It's fascinating how such things work on the mind; how such trivial things take on such meaning and weight.

The details of what is left undocumented here is I think what gives it resonance; creating the effect of a kind of kaleidoscopic time tunnel through which memory and soul are diverted in a moment. Atmospheric.

[Samuel Dickens]

The others have already said it, so I'll just add that this one sings sweetly, right up until it punches you in the gut.

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

Wow...change is right, from a warm image to a chilling visage.
Written in inimitable style.
Thank you, as always.

[Chris]

A very, very emotional touch...

[asdarkeyesclose]

'I saw the blood

and I heard you cry ...'

the whole tone of the poem changing, the nightmare memory from childhood that is impossible to forget. i liked the way you talked about the coins of little real value but triggering memories and powerful ones at that. fantastic writing.

[Ed Hart]

big change

[patricia]

days of innocence and father/son happiness, with patches of surprise and the unexpected. Some memories stay forever, i guess. Thanks Robin. It is amazing how a coin or some other memorabilia can bring back all its connections...the mind has a strange way of filing things.