-for Aidan

It is the one thing
that confronts the tyranny of laundry,
that breaks the monotony of that eternal chore.
It is little boy pockets,
evidence of glee and wonder,
sudden treasures found and forgotten,
abandoned to dark hiding,
unintentional missives to Mom,
tales of gathering and imagination.
Indispensable rocks,
vital sticks,
mutant crayons,
and secretive candy wrappers...
Each, a memory of some small paradise,
each one a clue to his growing world
and his marvelous mind.

2001

This is the poem that started my interest in pairing photos and poems. The photo was taken one day when I was doing the laundry, the poem came a few minutes later. I wasn't thinking "art" when I took the photo, thus it is blurry and not better composed. But I wanted to capture the moment.