An Honest Man … Chelsea Mann

by Chelsea Mann

It was a clear and sunny day When we went out to smile and talk Of tow’ring trees and birds at play And skip some colored, shiny rocks Along a morning nature walk. We’d stalked along this path before, So she was not afraid to see The birds, or squirrels, or creatures more Like spiders, ants, horseflies, or bees. She, too, was not afraid of me. I’d met her thirty times or more Beside her sister at the park –The elder girl was twenty-four, The younger one had pigtails dark, And danced about like spring-time lark. Today we walked as only two – Her sister had been left behind – But when she asked what we should do I told her that she need not mind, For without her, we could unwind. Therefore, I asked her of her day –What sort of things she’d heard and seen, What books she read and games she’d played, Of people good and people mean. Beneath my gaze, she looked a queen. So off she prattled of the rules And those enforcers milling ‘round Whenever she stepped foot in school Or anywhere along the grounds.

Her eyebrows bunched and small lips frowned. Complain, she did, of sister dear –And how the things she liked were banned. She sometimes wished to disappear And make a home in fairy land. I bent and gripped her small white hand. I crooned that I could take her far From anyone who’d tell her ‘no.’ Why, right back down the path – my car! If she just hopped in, we could go And I could put her in a show. An actress – that’s what she would be! My honeyed words rang true in head. She said that she would come with me, And so back to my van I led The girl I’d waited for – pure bred. She needed help to reach the seat And so I helped her up the stair, For she was only near four feet And did not flinch when – with much care –I unfurled pigtails from her hair. We drove ‘til night, and met my friend Who’d asked me for a girl of eight. She flushed as business came to end, And I left her with newfound fate. If sister’s worried, it’s too late. If happier or not she’ll be, I do not think I can decide. She will become an actress, see? God sits above me, great hands tied; Can he strike me, if I’ve not lied?