May in Indiana

 

 

Welcoming Springtime in Indiana

 

by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

 

 

Not a red carpet,

but a checkered black-and-white carpet

welcomes springtime and 33 drivers to Indiana.

The green flag is waved

while racing and springtime burst forth

in my Hoosier homeland.

 

The rototiller is in the garden,

the Wheel Horse is trimming the green grass,

tractors are in the fields,

and Indy cars are at the Speedway.

 

Sweet peas are trailing up the east fence,

irises are winking at the sun,

dogwoods are blossoming in pale pink,

calves are playing in the pasture,

and the crowds are in the stands

for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

 

Hooks in the ceiling of our big front porch

held nothing all winter;

but now, my dad stretches his 6’1″-frame

and places a link on each hook

so that, blessedly once again,

our varnished and beloved wooden swing

adorns the porch of our Blanford home.

 

Sitting beside my dad

on our front porch swing,

I witness his enthusiastic “Hello!”

and his massive Hoosier wave

to a peopled car that drives down

our rural cut-off road.

Puzzled, I ask my smiling father,

“Who was that?”

Wearing his cap with the Indy 500 logo,

my dad grins and says,

“I don’t know.”

 

A checkered flag, a porch swing,

and my dad’s Hoosier wave

were precisely what was needed

to welcome my heart and my senses,

to welcome everyone

to springtime in Indiana.

 

Enjoy the Indy 500!

God bless all who are remembered on this Memorial Day!

Alice and Leader Dog Willow

 

May 25, 2019, Saturday

 

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