Down a Piece and There

The country, people, and the village, All equal, as if, for the first time, All of that gave a fresher image, Nay, 'tis but a relative vantage. Save fresh road, to its left bears a sign. "A few more feet and we will be there." Says my brother, older by a year. We each sit on a small wooden chair. Back of our red jeep of 'wear and tear'. Gramps at the wheel, who shifts to high gear. Minds that share a past and a present. Coughs, downs windows that was turned briskly, Choked fumes made from an exhaust current. The quick fix makes exchanged smoke errant. Road yields to old, that winds on freely. The red jeep with pedals that brakes pace, Find its way through a billowed wake's draft. Drive made safe with a determined face, Smiles fills time while odd hands wheel's embrace. Of what we know, not whole, fair not half. Greenery and earth has submitted, To bigger eyes and matter in gray. The ridge forms a field hand committed, Stands to glance and waved arms transmitted, Replies with odd hands, begs one to stray. The story goes that one would come by, Gramps hands bears the mark of leprosy. Meek have less, makes more for a good guy. Back the wayward hand comes to deny, An erring mind to chance, willingly. The village comes closer then before. As banging and rattling lingers on, His feet plays up and down on the floor. Rounds a turn as we head south some more. The village, unlike time, comes, not gone. It is a village, though not smaller. If it be, then it would be a toy. The worn down country road made meager. There, it will become familiar. Some annoyed, yet many do enjoy. A dip and we sink, bump and we rise. The road full of gravel with some grass. The core grows like a line in disguise. The small village, now nigh, swells in size. Seaside with the beach, edges a pass. The village signature, Black Sand Beach. Sun worshipers famous welcome mat. Surfers alert when crested waves breach. Tourist with their cameras in reach, Wait, as surfers lulls mid waves, now flat. Round the turn as road hugs shoreline's brink. A red jeep leans seaward as breaths hold, All hearts skips, their eyes not strong to blink. Back along the one lane road, we shrink, In makeshift seats, "Soon be there," being told. Passing park of two ponds and a beach. Mid two naturals sits a built pond. Hit with the families, "a real peach." Beyond lays the village just in reach. Though eyes on the park makes hearts grow fond. The built pond was a new addition. Though not completely walled all around. The seawater, gave it tradition. Its made for a pool like condition. The once sand dune gave the pool its ground. Our thoughts reflect when swimming begin. Playing with sand for something to build. Or dig up holes so water flows in. The sun and breeze wakes bumps on our skin. Parties all night makes a day fulfilled. Pavilions where people will putter. Hot dogs and hamburgers all being grilled. Gossips traded and jokes brings laughter. Shallow or deep, choose both or either. Towels warms wrapped bodies that are chilled. Families and friends made their choices. Dive the old wilds or swim the new tame. 'Junk in a PO' chooses some cases. Waves swum or surfed are what one faces. Ponds, new or old, choices all the same. Last road bump signals the park's goodbye. The old ponds where laundry be done soon. Pa'hoe'hoe, (smooth rock), with folds top-side. Clothes scrubbed on it like racks that they slide. Ladies then sings a Hawaiian tune. Rubbed clothes are cleaned on natural folds. As tykes swim where chased tadpoles being caught. They would swoosh and turn in lathered molds. Water bubbled floats makes new thresholds. 'Tis memory to find when being sought. Now up a little rise and further. The bend hangs to the right, going in. Boarded store, marked for growing nature. Crossed a ditched school that leans in stature. Sights bears upon us soon our last grin. In view are two churches and a store. It has not grown, yet, our village sprouts. Few houses stands, bit further, stands more. Basketball court, more pond's, and the shore. Save the last, 'tis our home, thereabouts.