Regina Road
by Kitty Boots
I channeled Robert Frost as I came to the fork in the road
left or right?
comfort or adventure?
I took a left, it's less safe
and was greeted by hemerocallis fulva, tawny day lilies, ditch lilies
nodding to the dust I raised
corn, not yet in tassel, straight, tall
curvy, narrow, no painted lines to remind you to watch your speed, no warning signs
but I went slow because I didn't want to miss anything on Regina Road
and was rewarded
neat bungalows with jalousie windows
a trio of plastic deer on every other lawn
crowned tire planters
rocks painted white lining dirt driveways
tilled gardens, tomatoes in cages, scrawling squash with orange blossoms
morning glories embracing sunflowers
and I wondered if children still sat on those porches
in the evening with Memaw and Papaw and snapped beans
left or right?
comfort or adventure?
I took a left, it's less safe
and was greeted by hemerocallis fulva, tawny day lilies, ditch lilies
nodding to the dust I raised
corn, not yet in tassel, straight, tall
curvy, narrow, no painted lines to remind you to watch your speed, no warning signs
but I went slow because I didn't want to miss anything on Regina Road
and was rewarded
neat bungalows with jalousie windows
a trio of plastic deer on every other lawn
crowned tire planters
rocks painted white lining dirt driveways
tilled gardens, tomatoes in cages, scrawling squash with orange blossoms
morning glories embracing sunflowers
and I wondered if children still sat on those porches
in the evening with Memaw and Papaw and snapped beans
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Author's Note
Sometimes I just get in my car and drive. Regina Road seemed to be stuck in a kinder, gentler time.
Other stories by Kitty Boots
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Time warped idyll. This made me breathe easier.
Love the double irony in the first line of second stanza, btw.
*, KB. I really like the imagery.
I especially like the last stanza.
The last line. **
This is sweet and familiar. I don't think people realize there are still places like this, where the pace is slower and kinder. *
"and I wondered if children still sat on those porches"
Nicely said.
Thank you all for traveling down Regina Road with me! :)
Like visiting my brother in rural Illinois, especially plastic dear. *
Make that deer.
Thank you, Daniel. I'm not much for plastic garden statuary, but these were strangely comforting! I've noticed sheep are in vogue, as well!
Good details and great last stanza!
Thank you, Bill!