The Runaway

The Runaway


He came into the shop today
Round three-fifteen
Bag of clothes hastily tossed
Over the shoulder.
Wilkinson boy.
Freckled, probably nine by now.
Visited before occasionally
With Tom the flyers kid.
His older brother, I suppose.
But today serious business;
Ordered a chocolate sundae
Cascade of coin outa
His jeans pocket.
“Won’t this spoil your supper Son?”
“Not gonna have supper, Sir.”
“Oh, really, goin’ somewhere important?”
“Bus leaves in an hour;
Plan to visit my uncle.”
‘Scuse me will ya’ Son.”
(Quietly I ring Millie
At exchange and ask her
To send over Macnamara.)
Boy is just licking off
All chocolate when
The Cop arrives.
“Well Sammy, it’s been a while.
Headin’ out somewhere?”
That which follows
A scintillating saga
Of a restless teen Macnamara
And some pains that
Might have been avoided
By giving the folks a second chance.
The bus is forgotten.
Law and Order
Drives a freckled hiker Home.


Painting by Norman Rockwell

Nicely done! Caring for our fellow man is always timely!

Congratulations too!