1
the dads guard fires and raw meats
wearing mid-life jeans,
pockets holding the outline
of cell phones, wallets,
remembering good old times
that were not quite stolen
but tucked aside to make room
for little people - “thieves”
is too strong a word, requires the tongue
to push against the backside of teeth.
2
sun-lotioned mothers circle near
coiled citronella,
the smell of mosquito summers
burnt out at the end,
calling out early preventions
to avoid later regrets,
ignored by the imps
that take to the trees
leaving behind laughter
and the hint of popped bubblegum.
3
grandpas sit, grumpy heads gathered
together like a handful of dwindling walnuts
hiding greasy creases
under hard wrinkled skulls,
peering at birding guides, colors faded,
water-wrinkled edges surrounding
the cover of a proud boreal chickadee
with belly of brush-stroked greige,
the heat edging flesh tones closer
to ash.
the dads guard fires and raw meats
wearing mid-life jeans,
pockets holding the outline
of cell phones, wallets,
remembering good old times
that were not quite stolen
but tucked aside to make room
for little people - “thieves”
is too strong a word, requires the tongue
to push against the backside of teeth.
2
sun-lotioned mothers circle near
coiled citronella,
the smell of mosquito summers
burnt out at the end,
calling out early preventions
to avoid later regrets,
ignored by the imps
that take to the trees
leaving behind laughter
and the hint of popped bubblegum.
3
grandpas sit, grumpy heads gathered
together like a handful of dwindling walnuts
hiding greasy creases
under hard wrinkled skulls,
peering at birding guides, colors faded,
water-wrinkled edges surrounding
the cover of a proud boreal chickadee
with belly of brush-stroked greige,
the heat edging flesh tones closer
to ash.
Jenny Wong is a writer, traveler, and occasional business analyst. She resides in the foothills of Alberta, Canada and Tweets @jenwithwords. She is currently attempting to create a poetry collection about locations and regularly visit her local boxing studio. Recent publications include Claw & Blossom, Atlas & Alice, Whale Road Review, Lost Balloon, and FlashFlood on the 2020 International Flash Fiction Day UK.