Waiting Game, 1926

Ground was sandy cool and easy
I saw Jack Pelton
dig a hole
beneath the cottonwood
and bury a fruit jar
of moonshine whiskey

He patted the mound
smoothed it off
and disappeared
into the blackjacks

I could have told someone
Papa or Uncle Prez
but I wanted to have
one secret to myself

Perhaps if I waited
long enough
I would see Jack dig
the jar up

Men said whiskey
had to age
How long would it take
Would I be old enough to vote
or go with boys to the pie supper
whichever came first

Coda: True, about the whiskey, I saw it.

Notes

McDaniel, Wilma. (2001) Borrowed Coats. Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy University of California, Merced Library. Copyright owned by the Regents of the University of California.