Unattractive Opposites Poem by Adam Holmes

Out my window I watch wind blowing rows of corn. Somewhere by the city someone is looking out theirs. Rows of houses…. All the eye can see. Poster board neighborhoods, happy as could be. Your house looks like his. Don’t worry, he cant see through the picket fence.

Run.. Jump.. Splash.. cement swimming pools. No cranes or fish or flowing currents do they see. Meanwhile I walk to the river. Pole in one hand, spittoon in the other. Fishing for smallmouth, my cure for muggy august afternoons. The water feels cool and refreshing. The rocks and sand and mud soothe my feet, center my soul.

Round here we have our guns and bows. He has his ipods and smart phones. Saturday night means I’m going to the dirt track. Throw back beers cheer on my driver. He will go to the shopping mall. After that, starbucks calls. He surely cant miss dinner. Ma went to Costco. Wow! Its been a great day.

Crowded amusement parks, cramped hotel rooms. He is on vacation. I am in my tent. Camping in the wilderness, the way I want to be. McDonalds for lunch, I cook my own food, the old fashioned way. This open fire speaks to me. La.. dee.. da.. da.. You are free.

At night the stars burn bright. Trust the howling coyotes, they see them too. Back in the city street lights obscure the moon. I feel sorry for that suburban kid. All is well though, he feels the same for me.