Lawrence Hall
Mhall46184@aol.com
Dispatches for the Colonial Office

                                            In a Better America

In a better America this would be the first day of school -
Labor Day is for swimming in the creek
For a sunburn, for a catfish spine in your heel
For sandwiches and sand and ants and fun

The day after is the first day of autumn
As hot as it is, it can’t be a summer day
For now there are cedar pencils, new shoes
New notebooks in the latest ‘way-cool style

A school bus rattling down a dusty country road
Stops not at school, but at your dreams far-way

Someday

we have a lifetime
of tomorrows
to make up
for what didn’t happen
today.

The ocean that traps you
Floods from my eyes
I mourn a hope
That I had of blue skies
Cloudless days
Laying in time
Endless oceans
Forgotten to rhyme

The ocean that traps you
Tightens its grip
To a hope that you clung to
Of a long awaited trip
Hot sun
Bare skin
Close confines
Forgotten for sins

The ocean that traps you
I will drain
I will sink to the depths
And bring you home again.
You always come home
You once said to me
I will make it so
I will set you free.

The sun sets on each day
And orange fire starts the next
And yet it seems like I am stuck
Continually vexed

Time marches on
I am left behind
Footprints in the snow
I am left to find

"Just a few days"
And how am I to say
That is months to me
And my nerves fray

Until you stand upon the threshold
And your hands caress my face
I will continue to outrun time
In this never ending race