Book of Time XVII

They escorted Sage
into the bungalow's door
as the kettle sang.
Sage smelled mint and fresh honey
sitting beside her parents.

Delaney said, "Sage,
Before I met your father
these people helped me..."
Sage interrupted, "I know,
they made you a pair of shoes."

Adam poured their tea
and Evelyn sat with them.
She said, "Delaney
rescued our son from a fire
caused by a very cruel man."

William listened
to Delaney's recalling
of the forest fire.
Sage said, "My brother Parsley
loved to hear tales about dwarves."

Adam said to her,
"She saved our son's classmates too,
don't know about dwarves."
Delaney said, "There were dwarves
and a road of yellow bricks."

Sage felt the vapor
of her tea in front of her.
She reached for the cup.
Its warmth reminded her of
the light that darkened her eyes.

Taking her first sip,
Sage said to Delaney, "Mom,
you saved high schoolers
from a park in Beech Mountain.
Dad reported on the fire."

Delaney heart pulsed
with a truth that escaped her.
She asked, "William,
you knew and never told me?"
William said, "I'm sorry."

Richard Auriga
Nassau County, NY