A Big Old Tree

by Garth Kirkwood

After school play is done,
A game of football won,
Touch, four guys a side, run
Fast, go long, catch it, fun.

Back home again by dusk,
Shoes off, outside, back porch,
His mother often brusque.
The awning light a torch,

Yellow relief for slate.
Gazed, woods, a big old tree,
Wondered about his fate.
Someday, out he’ll go, free.