a boy sat by the side of the road
on his head sat a floppy straw hat
he nodded at passers by
they said, “hello, how are you?”
he shrugged and said, “content.”
they gave him odd looks
and went along their ways
the boy with the floppy straw hat
counted the leaves of the trees
he waved at an accountant passing by
“what’s the highest number?” she asked
“I’m at two thousand thirty six.”
he hadn’t finished the first tree yet
every time she passed, she asked again
Originally written on April 18, 2015.