I was born in SC, in August. Some moments from birth to childhood.

I glimpsed the mind of God.
There were no bongos there
so I ventured downstairs to where
the washing machine was.

I laid my cheek to the cold
concrete basement floor.
Light hung around the two-by-fours
and the smell of dirt and dust mites.

Little kitten, orange little tiger
playing with his gray sister, tussling
next to the box tortoise rustling
lettuce up in the wash basin.

Flatworms killed the soil
beneath the back porch. Red clay
thick and sticky, ready for the gray
clouds culminating above.