THE ART OF POETRY: SUMMER OF LOVE

by Stephen Gibson

 

 

Clo needs to believe she’ll help to end the war
and, with those others she lives with in the Haight,
that she’ll actually find peace and love forever.

She’s run away with a girlfriend—this is before
we meet (which turns out, not too soon—or too late):
Clo needs to believe she’ll help to end the war.

An older boyfriend’s dead, from the South Shore—
without the draft, he would’ve been her prom date.
She actually hopes to find peace and love forever.

She’s in front of a window with a psychedelic poster
of the Maharishi, who wants love to replace hate—
Clo, flashing a peace sign, hopes to end the war.

Clo still recognizes the girl in front of that store
and to both of our children, she doesn’t hesitate
to say she wanted to find peace and love forever.

It’s a snapshot in time, as all photos are,
and on the back is a blue timestamp with the date:
Clo needs to believe she’ll help to end the war,
that she’ll actually find peace and love forever.

 

 

 

 

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