Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver

Latinos USA has a new column called REVIVAL. Nolcha Fox revived a poem we co-wrote three years ago. Thank you, Nolcha! And stay tuned. I’m also an editor for REVIVAL and am reposting content from Masticadores USA there, beginning with 2023. Subscribe to Latinos USA for daily updates.

“Rocks” by Barbara Leonhard and Nolcha Fox

Rocks

I’m a rock in an inner tube.
You’re a rock skipping the water.
We started with enthusiasm,
with no idea of where
we might end up.
We’re both in danger of sinking.

The danger could be
a blessing. We may find
secrets in the deep.
An old Roman road
going nowhere.
Gold coins gleaming
untarnished memories. Maybe
underwater caves
filled with crystals.

Maybe I’ll find out
that inner tube
is actually my tummy.
Embarrassing.

All the better.
You’ll float!
I’m the one
who will go under
onto a pile
of ancient stones
and sailor bones.

You will join the stones
and bones of our ancestors,
find gold and crystals left behind.
My legacy is
sunburn.

© Nolcha Fox and Barbara Leonhard

Nolcha and I collaborated on a book in 2024.