The Strange Man

R. Virgil Ellis

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This little girl skips, and jumps,
turns hand-springs on the playground,
her school day done.

Now a busy man
strides late from his car
to his Friday volleyball.

He sees a daughter of years ago--
except she's not that busy being happy--
she knows just what to do.

Just the other day he walked
holding his grandson by the hand.
A young woman smiled at him.

He wonders as he goes by
if there'll be enough friends for a game.
He hears a car door slam

and the lock snap.
Glancing back going into the gym
he sees her in the car looking at him.

The 2River View, 3_2 (Winter 1999)