An Old Sidewalk

by Ted Kooser

THE PASSING YEARS have broken it

over the knees of tree roots,
those of great maples raining shade,
and of crippled elms whose leaves
in August turn to a lace that sifts
the heat. And the breaks have filled
with mold from which frail seedlings,
already with bark like their parents,
hold up green banners of hope.


Please log in to view or print the full story online or in PDF format.
If you are new to Narrative, signing up is free and easy.