The Beginning of a Story, Told by Rocks in a Stream

Man carries his son. Both carry hats: russet leather cowboy, scarlet cotton Spiderman. Spitting Horse carries them all, casting settled dust into wind. Sun sneaks up on the backs of their necks. No surprise. Empty Road dances up and down, turning with the horizon. No-Hat Woman lifts soft, beckoning arms to her son, receives him from the man. Son clutches tightly to the shoulders within reach. All lift one hand: adiós papá, mi hijo, mi amor. Field of Glowing Wheat waves back. All before

A warehouse

Perched stiffly on the

Land’s shoulders