Bill Roberts

THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR

shook my hand vigorously and
said it was a pleasure to meet me
as he stood beside his proud grandmother
in the kitchen she was in the midst
of cleaning on Thursday morning,

Elaine bringing her grandson with her
on this alternate week when she cleans
our already clean house, pre-cleaned
by my wife before their arrival so as
not to be branded an untidy housekeeper.

I told Christian I liked his hair with the
electric green streak down the middle
and said he must be an environmentalist.
He said he was eight though most people
took him to be ten or more because

of his size, and yes he was environmentally
conscious, being from Arizona and fond of
snakes, most land creatures and everything
that flies, especially butterflies and airplanes.
He also warned me that I have a wasp problem.

He meant out in the backyard, which he'd just
finished inspecting, and excused himself so
he could get at the three books he'd brought
along to read, school books for the summer
so he'd have a leg up come fall semester.

He and his Grandma would be on their way
next day to fly to Oregon to attend a Creation
Festival, a religious retreat for people who
enjoy music and share personal experiences.
Christian might be telling those good folks

that his mother had left him and his Dad just
the year before and was nowhere to be found.
I don't know if that traumatic event caused him
to dye his hair a hundred-watt green but I was proud
to have him in our house, intelligent kid that he is.

Who could not love a bright boy with green hair?

 Current Issue:
October 2007

Melinda Blount
Frank DeCanio
Bobbi Dykema
Taylor Graham
John Grey
Don Kloss
Alicia Matheny
Pam Pignataro
Jeremy Rich
Bill Roberts
Bethany Rountree
Tom Sheehan
Kelsey Upward

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