Rays

The Shedd Aquarium now has a Stingray Touch exhibit.  Yeah!  Find a small child and visit.  Even if you don*t have access to a small child, visit and remember the small child in you.  There*s nothing like it.  My son is now living in Minneapolis.  God willing he will visit this summer.

Over twenty years ago

I stood with a small boy

In his orange ball cap.

We carefully placed our hands

In the large kiddie pool of rays

Swimming

Swooping

Gliding

At the New England Aquarium.

We visited the rays

Regularly,

Felt their slippery sandpaper skin

Sliding by.

We even talked about bringing one home

As a saltwater pet.

I remember the faded orange ball cap

The wonder in a five almost six year old*s eyes

The cool sandpaper feel

Of the rays

Gliding

Simply gliding

under our hands.