“Red Rover”

"Red Rover”

Alone on a First Friday, this poet peruses

the galleries casually and at a

leisurely pace

And then a tall, white haired artist peers

into my eyes and advises:

There’s a raffle at the Slocum House!

Hearing, but not paying any particular

attention, I believe

Somehow, I end up at the Slocum House

Just before eight

As I stroll in, somebody announces:

Drawing in five minutes

I amble over to a counter and

ask: How much?

I am told: Raffle tickets are free

as a woman presses one in my palm

Shortly, a number is read off out loud

I look at my ticket and

my number matches!

I show the speaker and am told:

You have won!

What sweet words to my ears!

I have not won anything in decades

Then, they show me what I have won:

“Red Rover,” a water color of a red,

wooden boat, moored by a pier,

bridge and sunrise in the backdrop

My heart bursts with enthusiasm!

I feel my luck pivot on its axis

The darkness of the evening is showered with

diamond starlight- my glass is again half full

The previous rue has faded- it is gone

Deep gratitude wells up my being

I have received so much more than

the painting I have won!

Yes! “Red Rover” I will come on over

I whisper as I do my little happy dance

RMK, November 2016.