Horseshoes: So Close...

                        Horseshoes: So Close

His eyes followed the iron colored shape through the air,
Big clang hitting a red stake surrounded by white sand,
Ruler, ruler, please, God only knows how many misses.

Ringer, be damned, I can’t buy one today, he swirled to
A frustration coming, from night to day with a sight of a
Woman and child playing in the field nearby such a joy.

So close he thought as his arm swung back then forward
With the force of tossing two pounds forty feet and little
More for a ringer he sought, another big clang, so close.

“So close,” heard behind his ear, a smile shot to his face.
“Yes, so close,” he returned to the woman with child, oh,
“How, so close,” sounded they both together as hugging.

“So close,” sounded in his ear, a voice he knew from one
He talked to for years, then His smile and joy he felt as
Did she, “Him, again,” she thought with glee, jest, love.

Falling to the ground, the basket flung open with hunger,
The smells hunger more, fried chicken then oily lips met,
Lips never tasted so good, “So close,” said laying backs.

Looking to the skies, clouds and birds above, “So close!”
“Do you remember,” one said, no words spoken, silence,
Hands touching by sides, “Honey, how was your game?”

The thought he heard, “Hit a bunch of clangers that just
Missed, so close,” essence of a smile crossed her mind,
“Yes, I know, reminder how close you came to losing me.”

The slang he said with his soul, “Yes, I can be,” laughter
They both, for both knew the truth, facade played well,
“Do you remember,” both heard with nodding of heads.

“Me, too,” He said, “all My planning, all the years, all the
Trials and days of judgment we went through, his spirit
Never gave up, his freewill, love, never gave up on you."

The day people forgotten, though eyes did stare at us,
We stared not back, too busy being with each other in
The spirit of the Lord, His faith in us never He gave up.

She forgot the people, for now her own mind be true,
True to her heart, true to expand beyond closed minds,
“You old fart,” she chuckled, turning along side of him.

Turning facing her came a kiss, “Wine, better with age.”
“Well, you did make me age before my time,” said she,
“And I love you for it for with it came happiness to us.”

Through the air came the meaning of it all, dropping on
Hips and a beaming smile, “The raptor has you all,” she
Said, “Mommy, I’m hungry,” off two went to food court.

His meaning of life he watched walking the field, hips
And all he loved each inch, “Thank you,” blowing a kiss,
“You saved me, gave me faith in you and him, thanks!”

She looked back and wiggling of hips said, “Welcome.”
Horseshoes one top of one, double ringers scoring a six,
So close is better when it ain’t so close but much more.

– Steven Louis Ernest