Half A Loaf

Written
1993

 Filtered sunlight

      across the picnic table.

The wind a gentle tune

      for the sun pattern's dance.

The eucalyptus perfume

      mixes with the pine.

The fresh, bright grass

      joins the slow spring sway.

Family dogs plowing wild flowers

      to clean winter from their snouts.

Muddy children run

      to laughing parents.

The taste of bread

      with wine and cheese

      added sense treats.

The bread is all but eaten.

I started with but half a loaf.

In a town famous for bread,

      I had half a loaf.

I sit here in the warmth

      of my picnic,

      too satisfied

     to go for another loaf.

And yet I hunger for more bread.

Obviously half a loaf was my error.

But a picnic

      in this lovely spot makes me

      remember that

I can not live by bread alone.       

 

Notes
This is a poem about Tilden Park above Berkeley. It is one of my favorite spots. The smells are so great and the parade of families so impressive. I actually did not take enough bread and the wine,cheese and salami needed more bread. I could not move from that table. The carrousel is visited once a year early in August. The smell of eucalyptus fills the air. It is an easy memory to use to smell, see and hear the spot.