"Stop, stop!!!” my two-year-old shouts,
While running after the big blue ice-cream truck.
Bare foot, cash strapped, and out of breath,
He catches him in time to get his usual:
A bag of hot fries, pop rocks, and a two-ball ***** ball!

Now, times have changed.
My two-year-old, Ali, is now a 5’ 9”, 15-year-old,
Who’s sold his soul to sports and video games.
Even the big blue ice cream truck has changed,
And is now a bright yellow color.
The ice cream man has grown older,
Yet, he still asks for Ali with the same great big smile!

Hussein Dekmak