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Ed Meek is the author of three books of poetry and a collection of short stories coming out soon. He also writes articles, reviews and commentary. His work has appeared in many magazines, journals and newspapers including The Paris Review, The North American Review, Cream City Review, The Boston Review, The Christian Science Monitor, The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald. He taught composition, creative writing and literature at Austin Prep School. At Curry College he directed the First Year Seminar Program and taught in the English Department. He is a Writing Coach for College Solutions. He lives in Somerville with his wife Elizabeth.

Ed Meek

The Crossing Guard

1

You can’t miss the crossing guard—

that luminescent lemon drop

at the corner each day.

He waits with the patience of Job

ready to perform his sacred duty.

With hands as old as vines twisted by time

he holds the divine red lollypop—

its simple command in four black letters.

When he raises his arm, bikes, cars and trucks

like well-trained soldiers grind to a halt

as he ferries the children across the dangerous divide.

2

He’ll be there at the river to help us on board,

hold the ferry steady when the wind picks up,

or the currents are strong.

Are you ready? He’ll ask smiling—

the last words we’ll remember

as we embark and watch the shore fade away

before we turn to face the wind

and whatever lies ahead.

— Ed Meek