No Sharks
an American-Innovative villanelle inspired by my little story “No Sharks” from my memoir My Life in Little Stories
The flat rock had gone missing from the sheet metal covering the well.
I saw it but then turned it from my mind—
Then a headline flashed my thoughts, “Boy drowns in well.”
On a cold March day to Granny’s we visited for a spell.
Rodney and Kelly ran to play in the cold March wind.
The flat rock had gone missing from the sheet metal covering the well.
Granny’s houseplants held us talking, so much to tell.
I heard a thump, guessed a ball had hit the house behind?
Then a headline flashed my thoughts, “Boy drowns in well.”
I ran outside, not knowing what I’d find.
Kelly stood a few feet from the well looking stunned.
The flat rock had gone missing from the sheet metal covering the well.
“Where’s Rodney?” She pointed; I ran and nearly fell.
I lifted the metal, saw pale eyes; the worst stabbed my mind:
Again, the headline flashed my thoughts, “Boy drowns in well.”
Granny screamed, “He’s alive!” She held my legs. I pulled from him from the well.
No water in his lungs! no injury him befell!—
His only fear was that sharks might dwell
In the big pond he thought was connected to the well.
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