“But People Used to Be,” read by Charles Hughes.
But People Used to Be
by Charles Hughes
“Jump back!” she heard, and she jumped back.
(This happened long ago.)
A lightning flash, then thunder. Crack!
The tree just missed her toe.
Her father said she shouldn’t have
Gone outside in the storm.
Her mother rubbed some smelly salve
On scratches on her arm.
Her brother felt and didn’t see
The hand that stopped him short,
Feet from a snake coiled patiently,
Poisonous in the dirt.
“There are,” their grandmother would say,
“Guardian angels, who
Try to protect us night and day,
As yours protected you.”
But people used to be more sure
Of angels within reach,
Blessings the children’s grandmother
Took every chance to teach.
About the Poet
Charles Hughes has published two books of poems, The Evening Sky (2020) and Cave Art (2014), both from Wiseblood Books. He worked for over 30 years as a lawyer and lives in the Chicago area with his wife. He is lately writing poems for children.
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Image is in the Public Domain.
