Pelham Bay By Sheila Roche-Harmon Poem by OWEN I.A. ROCHE

when i was five
i killed alot of japanese beetles
to save our roses
and the winter cherries nodding
on the backyard gate.

when it was summer in pelham bay
we jumped over melting tar
and counted the miles from
lightning to thunder.

we ate crab apples at night
in a field
where milkweed grew in
clover and sumac
and golden rod.

the praying mantis
in my dream
the summer air
through the screen
in pelham bay

in a cove
we swam with horseflies
and searched out mussles
with our toes.

when i was five
it was summer
the hollyhocks grew
in
driveways
a lot
of roses
in my dreams
the japanese.
Sheila Clare Harmon
1822 Milvia St.
Berkeley, Calif.94709