Poetry

It was a beautiful sunny day to take the drive...the Euclid Beach State Park is a half hour drive from the group home.
My guys always enjoy the place, boats, fishermen, a snack bar...all the joys of summer.
Today I have all 8 men.
We walk along the paths overlooking the largest body of fresh water in the world.
Left overs from melted glaciers thousands of years ago.

Ice cream, potato chips and pop are on the minds of my guys, not the reason for our great lakes,
but the reason for being near the snack bar.

Just then a man hands me a rolled up bill.
I catch a glimpse of him over my left shoulder, 
Expecting him to ask me to change his 5 dollar bill for singles or some other scam...
he tells me to buy my guys something at the snack bar. 

I place the bill into my t shirt pocket and thank him for his kindness...
wondering if he had a family member in a group home, or what motivated his kindness...
and he just explains, "I get it!"
You get it? I ask. 
One of my guys comes over to say hello to this man.
I tell him about the kind gift and reach into my pocket to show off the bill.
I unroll it and stare...it's a Fifty!

Did you make a mistake? I asked. Do you want change?
No! He replies.

Who are you? What is your name?
Just say it's from Uncle Floyd.

I was deeply moved, I could see Uncle Floyd was also.
every once in a while my cynical beliefs are challenged.

The van was never filled so quickly in my memory...off to the nearest ice cream shop...
for whatever each guy wanted.

Another beautiful day at the lake, ice cream filled the stomachs of my guys and for me...

There was once a day

Where you didn't have to be afraid

Where you did have something to say

Where there was not meaning for parade

There was once a time

Where everything was perfect

where no one ever fought

where someone or something was worth it

There was once a girl

who thought of herself

But noticed the world

And Fights for its health

Life for Me