Samantha Ashland Smiled

Samantha Ashland smiled
      Camping out in line
Waiting for the bus out of Chicago
      To Madison Wisconsin

She wore pigtails newly braided
      While she sat waiting for her chariot to come in
Other clothing too hinted
      At a by-gone era the time of the hippies
But nothing ostentatious
      Nothing obvious
            Nothing dirty ratty or rag-like
Worn sure and faded from use
      But clean and subtle the prints
The tie-dyes the back pack
            Authentic
                  Believed in

A wrap clung to the stick she carried
      "Fragile" sticker adhered
Not a hint of what was inside
      Lacrosse stick nah
            Field hockey nah
Ceremonial totem maybe
      Missionary's peace pipe oh yeah

She sat cross-legged on the floor
      Made her own space in the bus station
Patiently waiting for her carpet to arrive

Samantha Ashland smiled
      Camping out in line
Waiting for the bus out of Chicago
      To lead her to Madison Wisconsin


For Conversations With Walt
Denis J. Kelly
Nov. 1, 2011