Mine Falls Park, Nashua, NH

By Val Vanderburgh

I knew to listen for you

at the not-quite-hill

slumbering at trail’s end

It was there

where we first smelled the soccer fields

ringed by a thousand-thousand pine trees

There

that the wind carried the sighs

of the elders to our ears

you said

It’s just the highway I always thought

though even then I knew

I’d never play on a more beautiful pitch

Now that I’m back

winded from the walk

boots a little muddied

veeries’ laughter echoing

I’d like to think I hear you

but it’s probably the cars

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