The red wagon
abandoned on its side
in the street
of little to no traffic
spilled a haul
of children’s tongues
so some quiet
would fill
the neighborhood
so William’s mother
could sleep
through the morning
after a double shift
in the covid ward.
Some squirrels
carried the tongues off
one by one
and buried them
like acorns
under oak
sycamore
and walnut trees.
copyright © 2021 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 