Around the Block

In springmill villages, I could make my way anywhere

on the block with my eyes closed. 

I knew where the divets in the sidewalk would catch my bike tire. 

I knew the shortcuts that actually took longer. 

I knew exactly how long it would take me to run 

from the flower house back home

on good days and bad. 

I've always been worried about knowing this much about new homes. 

Knowing when the purple flowers in the grass

by the intersection bloom

is information that hurts more than it helps. 

Now, I'm beginning to learn my neighbourhood. 

Slowly, with one walk at a time. 
I can count down the crosswalk signal at rush hour

and I know exactly how long it takes to speed walk to the bus stop. 

But I'm afraid to know how the flowers change 

and where the rain flows on warm days

because I don't know how much longer I'll need

to know my way around here. 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Familiarity is good. Helps one to get comfortable. It can also breed contempt, so perhaps it's a good thing you don:t know everything so there are still possibilities to learn new things for the future. Nicely conveyed and understood.

Chris