WATER FROM A GARDEN HOSE

Before we knew what sweltering is
Gary and I sweltered, playing hours
on sun burnt days in Jersey summer.
We wrestled our way across the path
and tumbled, gritty and sweaty
at the spigot on the side of his house.

Our slippery hands tugged down the hose
and our small hands twisted the tight knob.
Gary grabbed the snaked garden hose
and waited for the rush of water
so we could get a drink and be gone
before we got chased for making mud
in the peonies and the snowball bushes.

- By Anthony Buccino
From AMERICAN BOY: Pushing Sixty
Copyright © 2010 by Anthony Buccino, all rights reserved.