Ice on the pavement

I could have spent much time in studying ice

The thin pools  on the pavement froze like stars

Reflecting light from street lamps would suffice

I  was late for school, it wasn’t far.

I  knew each crack, the depth of pools, the shape

Like the mother’s body, studied, loved.

When the water froze my eyes would gape

Along would come my brothers with a shove.

I knew each brick each stone, each clean doorstep.

There was no time for me to stop and stare

I feared the rage of teachers and the priest

I neglected life, took no time to rest

Adults seemed much worse than ravenous beasts.

The little world is spoiled when they “know best’

Potential pleasure and the painter’s joy

Sacrificed to “learning”, love destroyed