A Town of Ghosts and Thoughts of Childhood

Yolken sun showers illuminate the earthen cliffs
Rail exhaust and old coal dust paved paths
as I round the bend snuggling Balancing Rock.
Helper, Utah disappears as quickly as it comes into view.

She nestles in the rocky facade, shying the new freeway, no exit.
Small diversion guides travelers to the past.
Buildings vacated decades ago, "Closed for the Season".
Faces lined or disappeared as I walk, peering in each soapy pane.

I waft to eras of Popsicle juiced chins, skinned knees, pony-tails
Veltri's drug, best root beer floats around, Mom buying Vick's Vapo-Rub.
If you had a penny, Coronet's Five and Dime, best candy in town.
"New" twist cones at Lucky's. Nesbit by the bottle, life by the glass.

Big John stands sentinel on the grassy knoll, protecting Saint Anthony's and the library
run by my Aunt Vee. Her heals once clicked on waxen tiles
Books I stamped "return in one week" on summer vacations.
The must, dust and Pine Sol drift and comfort Nancy Drew and the Hardy's

Crossing the Swinging Bridge, a breeze from the Price River rises up
Squeals of terror and delight, joyously invade my mind
Two sisters hang on the cables and jump the fragile spine.
Uniting West and East by twenty yards of skeletal frame.

　
Up the hill where the family now resides, Helper Cemetery
Rows of granite, marble and ash, some flat others erect.
Angels and lambs, flags and dried rose petals.
Dad, there you are under the trees. A Marlboro for your thoughts.