Snap: Conversations with My Mother at 89:
We took the train north to Eureka.
My father lived with my grand parents.
I and my brothers loved to go to Eureka.
There was a horse yard and a stable.
I learned if the horse became your friend,
They were your friend as long as you lasted there.
I loved those horses. They would get up close and kiss me.
They did not think I was unruly or unwise.
They thought I was a good member of their family.
I remember a family - a mother and her daughter -
who came to the yard. I asked them why
they did not enjoy the animals. The woman laughed at me.
From then on they walked on the other side of the street.
I knew she did not cherish my presence.
I determined even as a small child that it was important
To have a house with animals and people.
There was once a bad man on the train.
He pulled my pants down and stuck his finger in me.
I was probably six or eight.
I was not the least bit concerned about telling him
He was not nice. I did not tell the Conductor outright
And then he did nothing.
Later, I was going to my father's office.
I saw the man. I was scared out of my wits
So I started telling everyone he was bad. It did not
Make him go away. My father was not as incensed
As I was, but he was upset. The thing I thought
Was amazing was that he never seemed thwarted
By a little girl screaming at him. It made me uncomfortable
Around boys as I got older. I did not have anything to do
With them, but I did not have anything not to do with them.
It made me very wary of strangers.
No, I have never told this story. Not to anyone.
Why should I retell something that is so bad?
What would I like to do inside this yellow rose?
I never thought about it.
I think my responsibility is to keep the area healthy
So the rose will flourish. My grandfather, Manson,
Had beautiful roses.
Stephen Vincent
Blog: http://stephenvincent.durationpress.com
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