paul and i

climbed on top of

some snails that had

grown out of

 the ground

 

you see, a friend

named chip

fed and watered

them for weeks

and now

they have sprung

from our mother

 

he knew they

were there

 

just beneath

the surface

of the grass

 

he took the time

to recognize

their presence,

and spent many

hours nurturing

them,

 

he knew they

were there

 

they grew in a circle

with one snail

yet to break the ground

possibly as a reminder

that there are always

snails beneath

our feet no matter

where we walk

 

maybe they grew in a

circle to remind us

about the never-ending

gift of love

 

maybe to remind us

to always play

and always remember

our youth

despite our age

 

the children love them,

kiss and hug them,

bound from one snail

to another,

slide down their backs

 

maybe we should all

take the time to

kiss and hug them

bound from one snail

to another,

slide down their backs

 

chip did

 

...

 

in this time of

war and fear and hysteria

perhaps, we need

these reminders

 

maybe that's

why they came 

 

                         - - larry bauer