When we were five,
maybe six
I heard an engine settle
out by the back gate.

Summer's affable grass
and bees swarming.

We were preoccupied
with the garden hose,
the plastic tub, our kitten,
Smokey,

I ran to the back gate though
left the nozzle behind me
"This is only temporary."

Then he left, and it seemed,
in such a hurry his ride did arrive,
while we were preoccupied
when we were six,
maybe five.