It is June and the strawberries
are blooming popping ripe for tasting
In the neighbor’s front yard
these sweet delights
are like toddlers running
in between around all over
their happy wild natural garden
planted all along the curb
so that everyone and anyone
might feast
We wandered over after naps
each grandchild with a small container
to fill
Our preschooler was focused
searching, lifting leaves, looking under,
stepping closer, excitedly tossing each into
her small pail
Whereas our toddler stood transfixed
alongside us
devouring each and every piece of
plump red lusciousness that came her way
(assisted greatly by her dear Poppa)
while holding an empty pail
and
throughout
every
fruity
chew
she scowled at the hosts suspiciously
yes, wrinkled brow dagger eyes pursed lips
(these last were dripping in berry juice)
Such abhorrent behavior for a guest!
All is forgiven when you are only 19 months old
trusting only your nearest and dearest
not yet ready to welcome the stranger
or neighbor, as it were
not realizing
the recipients of your ‘stink eye’
were the reason for this
strawberry indulgence
We all just chuckled and giggled and shook our heads
at the wondrous mystery of the young.
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